In-vivo concentrations of inhibins, activin A and follistatin in human early pregnancy

The aims of this study were to investigate the relationship between inhibins, activin A and follistatin in first trimester fetal fluids, maternal serum, placenta and decidua, and to investigate if these hormones are present in the circulation of the early second trimester human fetus. Amniotic and c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Reproductive biomedicine online 2004, Vol.8 (6), p.712-719
Main Authors: Muttukrishna, S, Jauniaux, E, McGarrigle, H, Groome, N, Rodeck, CH
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
activin A
Activins - blood
Amniotic Fluid - metabolism
early pregnancy
Female
fetal
Fetus - metabolism
follistatin
Follistatin - blood
Humans
inhibin A
Inhibin-beta Subunits - blood
Inhibins - blood
Male
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Trimester, First
Pregnancy Trimester, Second
Protein Precursors - blood
Testosterone - blood
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Summary:The aims of this study were to investigate the relationship between inhibins, activin A and follistatin in first trimester fetal fluids, maternal serum, placenta and decidua, and to investigate if these hormones are present in the circulation of the early second trimester human fetus. Amniotic and coelomic fluid, maternal serum, placental villi and decidual tissue were obtained from normal pregnancies at 8–12 weeks. Fetal blood by cardiocentesis and maternal blood were collected at 14–16 weeks gestation. Placental extracts had higher concentrations of inhibins, activin A and follistatin compared with decidual extracts. In the second trimester, inhibins and follistatin were detectable in fetal blood at 14–16 weeks gestation. Maternal serum concentrations of inhibin A ( P < 0.001) and follistatin ( P < 0.05) were significantly higher than fetal serum whereas inhibin B ( P < 0.01) and pro-alpha C concentrations ( P < 0.001) were higher in fetal serum. Inhibin B concentrations were also higher in male fetal serum samples that had higher concentrations of testosterone. The presence of all molecular forms of inhibins, activin A and follistatin in the first trimester fetal fluids, placental and decidual extracts in the first trimester confirms other reports. In the second trimester, high concentrations of inhibin B with testosterone in the fetal circulation indicate that these hormones may interact in the development of the male fetal gonads.
ISSN:1472-6483
1472-6491
DOI:10.1016/S1472-6483(10)61653-7