This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a related Letter to the Editor Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Chellakooty, M. Articles by Juul, A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Chellakooty, M. Articles by Juul, A.

Longitudinal Study of Serum Placental GH in 455 Normal Pregnancies: Correlation to Gestational Age, Fetal Gender, and Weight

Department of Growth and Reproduction (M.C., A.J., A.-M.A., K.M.M., J.H.P., N.E.S.), Righospitalet, University Hospital of Copenhagen, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics (L.S., S.O.S.), University Hospital of Copenhagen, Righospitalet and Fredriksberg Hospital, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; and Department of Biostatistics (J.H.P.), The Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Marla Chellakooty, M.D., Department of Growth and Reproduction, Section 5064, Rigshospitalet Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. E-mail: . RH04632{at}rh.dk

Abstract

Placental GH is thought to be responsible for the rise in maternal IGF-I during pregnancy and is considered to be important for fetal growth. In this prospective longitudinal study of healthy pregnant women, we investigated determinants of placental GH in maternal serum. Serum was obtained from 455 women with normal singleton pregnancies at approximately 19 and 28 wk gestation. Serum placental GH concentrations were measured by a highly specific immunoradiometric assay, and fetal size was measured by ultrasound. Data on birth weight, gender, prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), parity, and smoking habits were obtained from medical records. Serum placental GH concentrations were detectable in serum from all women as early as 14 wk gestation and increased during pregnancy in all individuals (P < 0.001). Placental GH levels at second examination were found to be higher in women carrying female fetuses [median, 9.0 ng/ml; 95% confidence interval (CI), 4.7–23.0] compared with women carrying male fetuses (median, 8.2 ng/ml; 95% CI, 3.96–19.4; P = 0.004). Similarly, the increase in placental GH between 19 and 28 wk gestation was significantly larger in female fetus bearers than in male fetus bearers (P = 0.002). Placental GH at second examination was positively correlated with gestational age (P = 0.002) and negatively correlated with prepregnancy BMI (P = 0.039). Placental GH correlated with fetal weight at approximately 28 wk gestation (P = 0.002) but did not predict birth weight at term. Our study supports the role of maternal placental GH in the regulation of fetal growth. In conclusion, we found that 1) placental GH levels correlated significantly with fetal size at 28 wk gestation; 2) GH levels were measurable in serum from all women as early as 14 wk gestation; 3) maternal prepregnancy BMI and smoking were determinants of placental GH levels, although their specific effects on the serum maternal levels of placental GH remain to be seen; and 4) women carrying female fetuses have significantly higher placental GH levels compared with women carrying male fetuses at 28 wk gestation.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				L. J Vatten, T. I L Nilsen, A. Juul, S. Jeansson, P. A Jenum, and A. Eskild Changes in circulating level of IGF-I and IGF-binding protein-1 from the first to second trimester as predictors of preeclampsia Eur. J. Endocrinol., January 1, 2008; 158(1): 101 - 105. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. R. Brian, M. Bidlingmaier, M. P. Wajnrajch, S. A. Weinzimer, and S. E. Inzucchi Treatment of Acromegaly with Pegvisomant during Pregnancy: Maternal and Fetal Effects J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., September 1, 2007; 92(9): 3374 - 3377. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Fuglsang, P. Sandager, N. Moller, S. Fisker, H. Orskov, and P. Ovesen Kinetics and secretion of placental growth hormone around parturition. Eur. J. Endocrinol., March 1, 2006; 154(3): 449 - 457. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Chellakooty, K. Vangsgaard, T. Larsen, T. Scheike, J. Falck-Larsen, J. Legarth, A. M. Andersson, K. M. Main, N. E. Skakkebaek, and A. Juul A Longitudinal Study of Intrauterine Growth and the Placental Growth Hormone (GH)-Insulin-Like Growth Factor I Axis in Maternal Circulation: Association between Placental GH and Fetal Growth J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., January 1, 2004; 89(1): 384 - 391. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Fuglsang, F. Lauszus, A. Flyvbjerg, and P. Ovesen Erratum J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., October 1, 2003; 88(10): 5042 - 5042. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Fuglsang, F. Lauszus, A. Flyvbjerg, and P. Ovesen Human Placental Growth Hormone, Insulin-Like Growth Factor I and -II, and Insulin Requirements during Pregnancy in Type 1 Diabetes J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., September 1, 2003; 88(9): 4355 - 4361. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Z. Wu, M. Bidlingmaier, S. C. Friess, S. E. Kirk, P. Buchinger, B. Schiessl, and C. J. Strasburger A New Nonisotopic, Highly Sensitive Assay for the Measurement of Human Placental Growth Hormone: Development and Clinical Implications J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., February 1, 2003; 88(2): 804 - 811. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]