The origin of alpha-fetoprotein in first-trimester anembryonic pregnancies

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
E JauniauxS Campbell

Abstract

Our purpose was to evaluate the origin of alpha-fetoprotein in the maternal circulation and coelomic fluid of pregnancies with an empty gestational sac on first-trimester ultrasonographic examination. The alpha-fetoprotein level and the affinity of alpha-fetoprotein for concanavalin A Sepharose was measured between 8 and 11 weeks of gestation in the maternal serum and coelomic fluid of nine pregnancies complicated by an empty gestational sac and of 27 normal pregrancies. The maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein level in patients with an empty gestational sac was high in seven cases and normal in two cases. In these cases the median level was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in the serum and lower in the coelomic fluid compared with normal pregnancies. In eight cases of the nine pregnancies with an empty sac, > 50% of alpha-fetoprotein molecules in the coelomic fluid were of the concanavalin A nonreactive fraction, whereas in one case the coelomic fluid sample contained < 5% of this fraction. A similar distribution was found in the corresponding serum samples. Normal or high maternal serum AFP levels and alpha-fetoprotein molecules predominantly of yolk sac origin in the coelomic fluid of pregnancies with an empty gestational sac on ...Continue Reading

References

Dec 1, 1990·European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology·E JauniauxK H Nicolaides
Jan 1, 1991·Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·T Chard
Aug 1, 1989·American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·G Pridjian, A H Moawad
Dec 30, 1972·British Medical Journal·M Seppälä, E Ruoslahti
Sep 1, 1994·American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·E JauniauxS Campbell

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Feb 17, 2007·Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology·Emma Sawyer, Davor Jurkovic
Jun 3, 2014·Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology : RB&E·Luis E FloresBarbara Drews
Apr 30, 2005·Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology : the Official Journal of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology·E JauniauxG J Burton
Mar 26, 2004·The Linacre Quarterly·Anthony R Pivarunas

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.