OBJECTIVE: The aims were to measure concentrations of inhibin-A (alpha-beta A dimer) in peripheral serum during normal human pregnancy, to establish which molecular weight form(s) are present in pregnancy serum and to relate the concentrations of inhibin-A to those of oestradiol and progesterone. DESIGN: In a retrospective cross-sectional study 211 serum samples collected at 2-week intervals from week 8 to 38 of gestation were analysed for inhibin-A by enzyme immunoassay and oestradiol and progesterone by radioimmunoassay. Pooled samples corresponding to first, second and third trimester were subsequently used for fast protein liquid chromatography chromatographic analysis of inhibin forms present. PATIENTS: Blood samples were obtained from normal pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic. RESULTS: Concentrations of inhibin-A in peripheral serum gradually decreased from 1.76 +/- 0.15 microgram/l in week 8 of gestation to 0.86 +/- 0.12 microgram/l in week 16 (P < 0.01). Concentrations remained low during the second trimester but increased markedly (P < 0.01) during the third trimester reaching a maximal value of 5.68 +/- 0.89 microgram/l in week 36. Chromatographic analysis of pooled serum samples from the first, second and third trimester showed that the fully processed 31-kDa molecule is the predominant circulating form of inhibin-A throughout human gestation. Likewise, only the 31-kDa form was identified in extracts of term placenta which contained approximately 20 micrograms inhibin-A/kg tissue. CONCLUSION: Inhibin-A, principally the 31-kDa form, is present in peripheral blood throughout human gestation at concentrations up to 50 times greater than maximum values found during the spontaneous menstrual cycle (approximately 100 ng/l). The finding of highest serum values during the third trimester and of significant concentrations in term placenta firmly support a placental rather than luteal origin for this material.
OBJECTIVE: The aims were to measure concentrations of inhibin-A (alpha-beta A dimer) in peripheral serum during normal human pregnancy, to establish which molecular weight form(s) are present in pregnancy serum and to relate the concentrations of inhibin-A to those of oestradiol and progesterone. DESIGN: In a retrospective cross-sectional study 211 serum samples collected at 2-week intervals from week 8 to 38 of gestation were analysed for inhibin-A by enzyme immunoassay and oestradiol and progesterone by radioimmunoassay. Pooled samples corresponding to first, second and third trimester were subsequently used for fast protein liquid chromatography chromatographic analysis of inhibin forms present. PATIENTS: Blood samples were obtained from normal pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic. RESULTS: Concentrations of inhibin-A in peripheral serum gradually decreased from 1.76 +/- 0.15 microgram/l in week 8 of gestation to 0.86 +/- 0.12 microgram/l in week 16 (P < 0.01). Concentrations remained low during the second trimester but increased markedly (P < 0.01) during the third trimester reaching a maximal value of 5.68 +/- 0.89 microgram/l in week 36. Chromatographic analysis of pooled serum samples from the first, second and third trimester showed that the fully processed 31-kDa molecule is the predominant circulating form of inhibin-A throughout human gestation. Likewise, only the 31-kDa form was identified in extracts of term placenta which contained approximately 20 micrograms inhibin-A/kg tissue. CONCLUSION: Inhibin-A, principally the 31-kDa form, is present in peripheral blood throughout human gestation at concentrations up to 50 times greater than maximum values found during the spontaneous menstrual cycle (approximately 100 ng/l). The finding of highest serum values during the third trimester and of significant concentrations in term placenta firmly support a placental rather than luteal origin for this material.
Authors: Yogeshwar Makanji; Jie Zhu; Rama Mishra; Chris Holmquist; Winifred P S Wong; Neena B Schwartz; Kelly E Mayo; Teresa K Woodruff Journal: Endocr Rev Date: 2014-07-22 Impact factor: 19.871
Authors: Cande V Ananth; Ronald J Wapner; Srinidhi Ananth; Mary E DʼAlton; Anthony M Vintzileos Journal: Obstet Gynecol Date: 2017-03 Impact factor: 7.661
Authors: Aparna Reddy; Sangeeta Suri; Ian L Sargent; Christopher W G Redman; Shanthi Muttukrishna Journal: PLoS One Date: 2009-02-11 Impact factor: 3.240