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Biochemical markers of trisomy 21 and the pathophysiology of Down's syndrome pregnancies.
- Source :
-
Prenatal diagnosis [Prenat Diagn] 1997 Oct; Vol. 17 (10), pp. 941-51. - Publication Year :
- 1997
-
Abstract
- Using biochemical and immunocytochemical methods, we have investigated endogenous levels of various markers in tissues obtained from 67 Down's syndrome pregnancies after therapeutic abortion in the second trimester and in corresponding tissues from unaffected abortuses. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), intact and free beta human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), pregnancy-specific beta-1 glycoprotein (SP-1), placental alkaline phosphatase (PALP), pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A), and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) were investigated in placental tissue; AFP and GGT in fetal liver; and GGT in fetal intestine. The results indicate that maternal serum levels of placental products reflect those found in the placenta: intact hCG, free beta hCG, and SP-1 levels were elevated in Down's syndrome pregnancies, while PAPP-A and PALP levels were little changed. This suggests that membrane passage of these markers is not affected but there is altered synthesis of hCG and SP-1. AFP levels were strikingly elevated in placental homogenates and unchanged in liver homogenates from Down's syndrome pregnancies, while the levels in maternal serum were reduced, pointing to a possible transport defect specific to AFP. GGT levels were high in placenta and liver from Down's syndrome pregnancies but low in fetal intestine.
- Subjects :
- Biomarkers blood
Down Syndrome blood
Down Syndrome enzymology
Female
Humans
Ileum metabolism
Immunohistochemistry
Liver metabolism
Placenta metabolism
Pregnancy
Chorionic Gonadotropin metabolism
Down Syndrome metabolism
Pregnancy-Specific beta 1-Glycoproteins metabolism
alpha-Fetoproteins metabolism
gamma-Glutamyltransferase metabolism
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0197-3851
- Volume :
- 17
- Issue :
- 10
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Prenatal diagnosis
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 9358574