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Biomedical subjects

J G Westergaard

Publications and source records attributed to J G Westergaard.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

The effect on pregnancy of intrauterine administration of antibodies against two pregnancy-associated murine proteins: murine pregnancy-specific beta 1-glycoprotein and murine pregnancy-associated alpha 2-glycoprotein.

Intrauterine administration of 100 arbitrary units (AU) of purified monospecific rabbit anti murine pregnancy specific beta 1-glycoprotein antibodies resulted in the loss of the fetuses in pregnant mice (14 out of 14). By contrast, a similar treatment with 100 AU of rabbit anti murine pregnancy-associated alpha 2-glycoprotein had an effect similar to saline on the outcome of pregnancy. Intravenous administration of 1000 AU of rabbit anti murine pregnancy specific beta 1-glycoprotein during pregnancy in mice had no effect on the outcome of pregnancy.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Placental function studies in low birth weight infants with and without dysmaturity.

Maternal blood levels of human placental lactogen and schwangerschaftsprotein 1 were measured in 51 women who delivered a growth-retarded infant. The levels were substantially lower in the 27 women whose infants were clinically dysmature than in the 24 women whose infants were small but of normal appearance. About one-half (44%) the cases of true dysmaturity had abnormal concentrations of human placental lactogen (less than 4 mg/L), whereas none of the small but normal group had values in this zone. It is concluded that biochemical tests of this type reflect dynamic aspects of placental function and not simply the overall size of the fetus and placenta.

Female↗
PubMed1984

Placental protein measurements in complicated pregnancies. I. Intrauterine growth retardation.

Maternal serum levels of human placental lactogen (hPL), schwangerschaftsprotein 1 (SP1) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) were measured serially throughout pregnancy in 753 women who had a normal pregnancy when recruited during the second trimester. Thirty-three women were delivered of an infant with low birth-weight and with phenotypic features of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). The predictive value of an abnormal (less than 10th centile) hPL result (PVpos) in the identification of IUGR was between 28 and 32%, the sensitivity (36-54%) being greatest at 35 weeks gestation. The predictive value of a normal result (PVneg) was 87-96% at various stages of pregnancy, also greatest at 35 weeks gestation. For SP1, the sensitivity and predictive values were also greatest at 35 weeks gestation (PVpos, 20%; sensitivity, 32%; PVneg, 95%), but for PAPP-A these values were considerably less at all gestations. The trends in levels of hPL, SP1 and PAPP-A observed in individual patients with IUGR were not apparently related to any clinically recognizable feature of the pregnancy or the degree of fetal compromise, irrespective of whether the levels were within or outside the 80% confidence limits of the normal range or whether the levels fell from within the normal range. These data suggest that maternal hPL measurements are superior in the identification of IUGR in samples obtained at 30-35 weeks gestation.

Female↗
PubMed1984

Placental protein measurements in complicated pregnancies. II. Pregnancy-related hypertension.

Maternal serum levels of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A), human placental lactogen (hPL) and schwangerschafts-protein 1 (SP1) were measured serially during the second and third trimesters in 753 women with a normal pregnancy when recruited during the second trimester. Thirty-seven pregnancies were complicated by pregnancy-related hypertension after 28 weeks gestation. Maternal levels of PAPP-A and SP1, and trends of levels in individual patients, could generally not be distinguished from those seen in patients with a normal pregnancy, and were unrelated to the time of onset of the disease, its severity or the occurrence of other complications with one exception, in which decreased levels of SP1 and hPL were seen. Mean levels of hPL were significantly lower (P less than 0.05) at 35 weeks gestation. These data suggest that the measurement of the placental proteins examined here is of no value in the prediction of occurrence of pregnancy-related hypertension.

Female↗
PubMed1984

Placental protein measurements in complicated pregnancies. III. Premature labour.

Maternal serum levels of pregnancy-associated plasma protein. A (PAPP-A), human placental lactogen (hPL) and schwangerschafts-protein 1 (SP1) were measured serially during second and third trimester in 753 women with normal pregnancy when they were recruited to the study. In 24 women spontaneous premature labour occurred before 37 completed weeks and these women had significantly lower mean levels of serum SP1 at 29-31 weeks and at 33-34 weeks gestations but similar mean levels of serum PAPP-A and hPL at all gestations compared with corresponding values in normal pregnancy. The predictive value of an abnormal SP1 result was 5.2% at 29-31 weeks and 10.3% at 33-34 weeks. Furthermore, trends of levels of the three placental proteins in individual patients were similar to those seen in normal pregnancy, and the trends were unrelated to the occurrence of other complications and the time of onset of labour. This study suggests that measurements of the three placental proteins are unlikely to be of any value in the prediction of spontaneous premature labour.

Female↗
PubMed1984

Normal and abnormal prolactin levels during human pregnancy. Lack of influence on fetoplacental endocrine function.

Serial measurements of serum prolactin (PRL), chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), estradiol and progesterone were performed during 16 normal pregnancies. The same hormone analyses were performed in a woman with the galactorrhea-amenorrhea syndrome and a pituitary adenoma during two pregnancies, with and without continued treatment with bromocriptine throughout gestation. The study indicates that marked differences in circulating PRL levels do not influence the fetoplacental hormone levels. Furthermore, tumor expansion may possibly be prevented and successful breast-feeding can be achieved after treatment with bromocriptine throughout gestation.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1983

Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A in the prediction of early pregnancy failure.

Maternal circulating pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) was measured in 51 patients with vaginal bleeding in the first half of pregnancy. Concentrations of PAPP-A were consistently lower in pregnancies which failed. In the prediction of early pregnancy failure, the predictive value of depressed maternal PAPP-A levels was 58%, the sensitivity was 91.9%, and specificity was 95.1%. These results compared favorably with other biochemical tests of placental function. However, if fetal life was demonstrated ultrasonically, depressed levels of PAPP-A substantially differentiated between those pregnancies which continued normally and those which did not, suggesting that PAPP-A estimations would be of clinical value in cases previously beyond the reach of any diagnostic measure.

Abortion, Threatened↗
PubMed1983

Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A: a possible marker in the classification and prenatal diagnosis of Cornelia de Lange syndrome.

The concentration of human platelet lactogen (hPL), pregnancy specific beta-1 glycoprotein (SP-1) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) were analysed in consecutive serum samples from a patient who gave birth to a child with Cornelia de Lange syndrome. HPL and SP-1 were present in normal concentrations from week 20 to week 35 of gestation whereas PAPP-A could not be detected in any of the samples examined. Immunohistochemical examination of two placentae from Cornelia de Lange syndrome revealed normal localization of hPL and SP-1 but the absence of PAPP-A from the syncytiotrophoblast. The significance of association between Cornelia de Lange syndrome and compromised synthesis of PAPP-A is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Serum PAPP-A in normal pregnancy: relationship to fetal and maternal characteristics.

Pregnancy associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) was measured in maternal serum by electroimmunoassay in 414 women (with subsequent normal pregnancy outcome) during the 38th week of pregnancy. PAPP-A levels were examined in relation to maternal and fetal characteristics, revealing a statistically significant relationship with maternal weight, placental weight, fetal sex and gravidity. The correlation of PAPP-A levels to fetal sex and gravidity could not be explained by differences in placental or maternal weight. Mean levels of PAPP-A were also not significantly different in relation to fetal sex.

Birth Rate↗
PubMed1983

Quantification of corticosteroid binding globulin by electroimmunoassay during human pregnancy.

Corticosteroid binding globulin (CBG) was purified by one step positive immunospecific affinity chromatography and antibody to human CBG produced in goats. The goat anti-human CBG was used in the development of a precise rocket immunoelectrophoresis for CBG quantification. CBG levels measured by this assay were found to increase from 30 AU/ml to 100 AU/ml during pregnancy. There was no statistically significant association observed between levels of CBG, or circulating estriol, or pregnancy zone protein. Circulating CBG was estimated in 32 women with pregnancy associated hypertension, the levels were all within the normal range, and not significantly different from those seen in matched controls.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

The prediction of pregnancy failure by measurement of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) following in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.

Circulating PAPP-A was measured serially in five patients following successful IVF-ET. PAPP-A concentrations were consistently normal in all three patients in whom pregnancies progressed normally to term. Depressed levels of PAPP-A were observed in one patient who miscarried spontaneously at 17 weeks' gestation despite ultrasound evidence of normal fetal development. Circulating PAPP-A was not detected in the fifth patient, whose tubal pregnancy ruptured at 8 weeks. These data are discussed in relation to surveillance of pregnancies following IVF-ET.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1983

The possible prognostic value of serum prolactin increment during pregnancy in hyperprolactinaemic patients.

In 15 hyperprolactinaemic, infertile patients achieving 17 bromocriptine-induced pregnancies, the presence or absence of prolactin (Prl) increment in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy was correlated to the basal Prl levels before treatment and after pregnancy. The hyperprolactinaemic patients revealed a marked heterogeneity in the Prl increment compared to normal women. Five patients showed a pronounced increase in serum Prl during gestation, whereas Prl levels were unaltered or decreased slightly in 10 patients. In the latter group of patients serum Prl was significantly (P less than 0.01) lower after pregnancy than before treatment. Our study indicates that some hyperprolactinaemic patients may benefit from a pregnancy, and that these patients probably can be identified, as they do not show any significant changes in Prl levels during pregnancy.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1983

The influence of pituitary and gonadal hormones on serum levels of pregnancy-associated murine protein-1.

Hypophysectomy of female mice resulted in the disappearance of pregnancy-associated murine protein-1 (PAMP-1) from the circulation within a week. Maintenance of physiological levels of oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone, LH, FSH or prolactin was not sufficient to maintain a normal PAMP-1 level in the hypophysectomized animals. However, administration of oestrogen in large doses to adult male mice with undectatable levels of circulating PAMP-1 caused PAMP-1 to appear in the blood. Testosterone treatment of females inhibited the PAMP-1 synthesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Labor induction with prostaglandins.

Prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha have been used for labor induction for more than 10 years. Many investigations have shown that these prostaglandins are effective, and within certain dosage schedules, safe oxytocics, even though the systemic administration is accompanied by side effects, mainly from the gastro-intestinal tract. Oral PGF2 appears to be the prostaglandin favored in recent years. It gives few side effects when administered in this manner. It is concluded from the present investigation and a study of the literature that oral PGE2 has certain advantages in comparison with other oxytocics for induction of labor at term, although it cannot entirely replace intravenous oxytocin. This, together with the relatively high cost of oral PGE2, will limit its use in the future for labor induction at term in normal cases.

Dinoprostone↗
PubMed1983

Oral oxytocics for induction of labor. A randomized study of prostaglandin E2 tablets and demoxytocin resoriblets.

A randomized comparative study of 387 consecutive patients admitted for induction of labor was carried out using two orally administered oxytocics (prostaglandin E2 tablets (Prostin) or Demoxytocin resoriblets for buccal administration (Sandopart)), the results of which are reported here. One-hundred and twenty-three cases were suitable for primary amniotomy; of these 48 were given PGE2 tablets and 75 received demoxytocin resoriblets. In a further 264 cases, primary amniotomy was inadvisable and of these, 133 patients were allotted to the PGE2 treatment group and 131 to treatment with demoxytocin. A significantly higher success rate was observed (p less than 0.05) in the PGE2 group in cases where primary amniotomy had been carried out, as compared with the demoxytocin group. Parturition was successfully induced in 82.0% of the patients given PGE2 tablets, as against only 63.4% of those receiving demoxytocin following 2 days of stimulation without primary amniotomy. This difference is statistically significant at the 0.001 level, and presumably due to the highly significant difference (p less than 0.0001) between patients with a Bishop score of 5 or less, where induction was successful in 75.4% given PGE2 tablets, in contrast to a success rate of only 36.7% in patients receiving demoxytocin resoriblets. No difference was observed in the success rate between the two treatment groups when the Bishop score was 6 or more. No difference was recorded in the incidence of fetal distress, instrumental delivery or low Apgar score between the two treatment groups. However, a higher incidence of vomiting and diarrhea were observed in patients treated with PGE2 tablets (11%) as compared with those receiving demoxytocin (1.5%). There was no difference with regard to the induction-delivery time, nor to the different stages of labor between otherwise comparable treatment groups when the induction was successful. It is concluded in respect of induction of labor using orally administered oxytocics that PGE2 (tablets) are preferable to demoxytocin (resoriblets) as it is the more effective of the two.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1983

Use of oral oxytocics for stimulation of labor in cases of premature rupture of the membranes at term. A randomized comparative study of prostaglandin E2 tablets and demoxytocin resoriblets.

The efficacy of oral PGE2 tablets and buccal demoxytocin (resoriblets) for the induction of labor in cases of premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) after the 37th week of gestation has been evaluated in a prospective, randomized investigation of 193 women. PGE2 tablets (Prostin) were given to 109 parturients and demoxytocin resoriblets (Sandopart) to 84. The former were given in increasing doses from an initial 0.5 mg to a maximum of 1.5 mg every hour. The demoxytocin was administered at a constant dosage of 50 I.U. every 30 min. The treatment was unsuccessful in 10 of the women treated with PGE2 tablets and in 19 women receiving demoxytocin resoriblets. In addition, the treatment had to be discontinued in 5 women in the PGE2 group due to gastrointestinal side effects. This gives a total success rate of 86.3% for treatment with PGE2 against 77.4% in respect of demoxytocin. This difference is not significant. No difference was observed between the two treatment groups as regards: the stimulation-delivery interval, duration of the various stages of labor, efficacy in primiparae and multiparae, efficacy in patients with a high/low Bishop score. A significantly higher frequency of gastro-intestinal side effects was seen in those treated with PGE2 (21.7%) as compared with demoxytocin (3.6%). The frequency of surgical intervention was 17% in the PGE2 group and 10% in the demoxytocin group. In 4 cases where the stimulation was successful, cesarean section was carried out for reasons unrelated to the drug therapy. Despite the fact that demoxytocin treatment results in fewer side effects than PGE2, the efficacy of the drug is not superior. Based on experience from previous investigations carried out in this department, where intravenous oxytocin was found to be clearly better than oral PGE2 for the induction of labor in cases of PROM, intravenous oxytocin will remain the method of choice due to the shorter period of treatment, which must take priority.

Administration, Oral↗