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Biomedical subjects

P Florio

Publications and source records attributed to P Florio.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

The detection of anti-beta2-glycoprotein I antibodies is associated with increased risk of pregnancy loss in women with threatened abortion in the first trimester.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate whether the detection of serum antiphospholipid autoantibodies may be useful in predicting pregnancy outcome in women with threatened abortion in the first trimester. STUDY DESIGN: A group of 77 pregnant women of between 8 and 12 weeks' gestation with vaginal bleeding was tested for serum antiphospholipid, lupus anticoagulants, anticardiolipin, antinuclear antibodies, and anti-beta2-glycoprotein I antibodies, and was followed up until the spontaneous end of pregnancy. A control group composed of 15 healthy women with uncomplicated gestation was tested contemporarily for the same antibody panel. RESULTS: Of the 77 patients with threatened abortion, 32 (41.5%) progressed to deliver at term and 45 (58.5%) experienced early pregnancy loss. Among the antibodies evaluated, only anti-beta2-glycoprotein I was significantly more frequent in those women whose pregnancy resulted in spontaneous abortion (22/45, 49%) than in those who progressed to term (6/32, 19%) or in the control group (2/15, 13%; p=0.004). This difference was specific to the IgM isotype (p=0.001). After adjustment by multivariate analysis, the odds ratio for pregnancy loss associated with a positive beta2-glycoprotein I antibody test was 5.18 (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: The detection of anti-beta2-glycoprotein I antibodies is associated with an increased risk of pregnancy loss in women with threatened abortion in the first trimester.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed2006

Secretory endometrium highly expresses urocortin messenger RNA and peptide: possible role in the decidualization process.

BACKGROUND: Urocortin (UCN) gene expression and synthesis have been reported in epithelial and stromal cells of the human endometrium. In this study we evaluated (i) UCN messenger RNA (mRNA) expression and peptide production in uterine specimens collected throughout the endometrial cycle, (ii) UCN secretion after decidualization of cultured human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) and (iii) the effect of UCN on endometrial decidualization. METHODS: HESCs were isolated from samples of human endometrium collected from healthy patients with normal menstrual cycle and cultured in presence of cAMP, 17-beta-estradiol (E(2)) + medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and UCN. UCN levels were measured in endometrial extracts by an enzyme immunoassay, and changes of endometrial UCN mRNA expression were measured by RT-PCR analysis. RESULTS: UCN peptide concentrations and mRNA expression were highest in the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle (P < 0.001, late secretory versus early and late proliferative phase) and higher in the late than the early secretory phase (P < 0.01). After decidualization of HESC with cAMP or E(2) + MPA, UCN levels rose in parallel with prolactin concentrations by days 6 (P < 0.01, for all). Finally, the addition of UCN to HESCs, with or without E(2) + MPA, induced the release of prolactin. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence that (i) UCN is highly expressed in the secretory phase of the endometrial cycle; (ii) cAMP and E(2) + MPA modulate secretion of UCN and (iii) UCN induces HESCs decidualization together suggest a possible role for UCN in endometrial physiology.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Human placenta and fetal membranes express nerve growth factor mRNA and protein.

The present study investigated whether trophoblast, decidua and fetal membranes express nerve growth factor (NGF) mRNA and peptide. Tissue specimens were collected in the first and third trimester of pregnancy from women undergoing voluntary pregnancy interruption (no.= 6; from 8 to 12 gestational weeks) and from women having an elective caesarean section at term (no.= 6; week 39-40 of pregnancy). Using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), trophoblast, amnion/chorion and maternal decidua showed the expression of NGF mRNA both in early gestation and at term. By immunohistochemistry, the immunoreactive NGF was found in the cyto and syncytial trophoblast cells, chorionic mesodermic cells and in decidua. Vessel endothelial cells were stained in maternal compartments, while fetal vessels were unstained. These results, showing the expression and localization of NGF, support the current concept that human placenta is a potent neuroendocrine organ throughout gestation.

Decidua↗
PubMed2005

Umbilical cord serum activin A levels are increased in pre-eclampsia with impaired blood flow in the uteroplacental and fetal circulation.

The aims of the present study were to evaluate the umbilical cord serum activin A concentrations in complicated pregnancies and also to explore the relationship between activin A levels and blood flow velocity in fetal arteries. Umbilical cord blood samples were obtained postpartum after a full term uneventful gestation (control group, n=40), and from pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes (n=13), preterm labour (n=18), or pre-eclampsia (n=19). Cord serum activin A levels were three-fold higher in pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia (1.17+/-0.14 ng/ml, p<0.01) than in the control group (0.43+/-0.03 ng/ml), but were unaltered in the diabetes and preterm labour groups. The pre-eclampsia group had a marked increase of umbilical artery pulsatility index (PI) and also a decrease of middle cerebral artery PI (p<0.01). Furthermore, activin A concentration correlated directly with the umbilical artery PI (r=0.540, p=0.021), with the length of stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (r=0.857, p<0.001) and also with cord blood pH (r=-0.886, p<0.001). In conclusion, umbilical cord serum activin A levels are increased in the presence of pre-eclampsia and provide an indirect marker of impaired blood flow in the uteroplacental and fetal circulation.

Activins↗
PubMed2005

High fetal urocortin levels at term and preterm labor.

CONTEXT: Placental urocortin has a role in the cascade of events leading to parturition by stimulating myometrial contractility and placental uterotonins secretion. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate urocortin levels in maternal and fetal [umbilical cord artery (UCA) and vein (UCV)] plasma at term and preterm labor. DESIGN: The study design was a controlled cross-sectional study performed from November 2003 to June 2004. SETTING: This study was performed at the Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Siena (Siena, Italy). PATIENTS: Plasma samples were collected at term in the absence of labor (TNL; n = 27; 39.3 +/- 0.1 gestational weeks), at term spontaneous vaginal delivery (TL; n = 24; 40.1 +/- 0.2 gestational weeks), and at preterm labor (PTL; n = 19; 32.4 +/- 0.4 gestational weeks). Changes in urocortin mRNA expression were also evaluated in placentas collected from TNL (n = 11), TL (n = 11), and PTL (n = 10). INTERVENTION: Urocortin levels were measured by specific RIA. Changes in placental mRNA expression were determined by real-time quantitative RT-PCR analysis. RESULTS: Maternal and UCA plasma urocortin levels were significantly (P < 0.0001 for all) higher in TL and PTL than in TNL. Furthermore, UCA concentrations were significantly (P < 0.0001 for all) higher than and correlated with maternal concentrations (TNL: r = 0.45; P < 0.05; TL: r = 0.959; P < 0.0001; PTL: r = 0.7719; P < 0.0001). UCV levels were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in TL and PTL than in TNL and were significantly (P < 0.0001 for all) higher than and significantly (P < 0.0001 for all) correlated with maternal values, but were significantly (P < 0.0001 for all) lower than and correlated with UCA values (TNL: r = 0.9548; P < 0.0001; TL: r = 0.927; P < 0.0001; PTL: r = 0.838; P < 0.0001). Placental urocortin mRNA expression did not differ among TNL, TL, and PTL samples. CONCLUSIONS: Fetal urocortin secretion is increased in term and preterm labor. Whether these changes are a consequence rather than a cause of human parturition remains to be addressed.

Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone↗
PubMed2005

Serum fluctuations of total and free tryptophan levels during the menstrual cycle are related to gonadotrophins and reflect brain serotonin utilization.

BACKGROUND: Serotoninergic (5-HT) neurons are suggested to regulate estrous cycle in animal models. In the present study we evaluated whether a relationship exists between the serotoninergic precursors in the central nervous system and the gonadotrophin-ovarian cyclic function. METHODS: We measured 5-HT precursors [free (FT) and total (TT) tryptophan] and LH, FSH and 17beta-estradiol (E2) levels in the serum of 15 fertile women with normal menstrual cycles during the follicular (cycle days 1-5, 7-11), mid-cycle (cycle days 14-16) and luteal (cycle days 17-19, 22-24) phases. RESULTS: TT and FT were significantly increased in the 7-11 and 17-19 cycle days and were decreased at mid-cycle (P < 0.01), with a cyclic and opposite behaviour when compared to that of FSH and LH. Indeed, correlation analysis through the matrix of mean values showed that LH was negatively correlated to TT (r = -0.636) and FT (r = -0.574), as well as FSH (TT, r = -0.655; FT, r = -0.663), and that TT and FT were positively correlated to each other (r = 0.801; P < 0.001). Furthermore, whilst the two FT peaks reached approximately the same levels in the follicular and luteal phase, TT levels were approximately 30% higher in the luteal than in the follicular phase of the cycle: thus in the first (follicular) phase FT peak was relatively higher than that of TT, whereas the contrary occurred in the second (luteal) phase of the cycle. CONCLUSIONS: Both TT and FT levels have cyclic variations throughout the menstrual cycle, being lowest at mid-cycle (14-16 cycle days), concomitant with the highest LH and FSH concentrations, and higher before and after mid-cycle phase, coinciding with the lowest circulating LH/FSH levels. Since TT and FT levels in the plasma have cyclic changes, our study: (i) suggests that a consumption of serum serotonin precursors takes place concomitant with gonadotrophin release during menstrual cycle; (ii) may represent an in vivo model to investigate this relationship in women in different physiopathological conditions.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Mutational analysis of the inhibin alpha gene in preeclamptic women.

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia (PE) is a disorder that occurs in at least 5% of pregnancies and affects both the mother and the unborn baby. A dramatic increase of maternal serum inhibin A concentration in the second and third trimester of pregnancy is a common feature of PE and inhibin A measurement may add significant prognostic information for predicting PE in pregnant women. DESIGN: We evaluated the presence and prevalence of gene polymorphisms for inhibin alpha subunit (INHalpha) in patients affected by PE (no.=50; study group), and in the general population (control group composed of 103 women and 42 men). METHODS: DNA extraction, single strand conformation polymorphism analysis, DNA sequencing, restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, and Fisher's exact test were used. RESULTS: A 769G-->A transition was found in INHalpha1, but not in INHalpha2 or INHalpha3 fragment. This variant was found in 10/145 normal controls (7,6%), and in 1/50 preeclamptic patients (2%), without significant difference between the two groups (p=0.29). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of INHalpha gene variants is not increased in PE. Due to its frequency, the 769G-->A transition may be considered a polymorphism present in the general Italian population.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Placental expression of substance P and vasoactive intestinal peptide: evidence for a local effect on hormone release.

The present study evaluated vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and substance P (SP) mRNA expressions and the localization of both peptides in first- and third-trimester human placentas. VIP and SP mRNAs were detected by slot blot analysis in first- and third-trimester placental tissues. By immunohistochemistry both neuropeptides were localized in the trophoblast (syncytium and cytotrophoblastic cells) of the chorionic villi. Because little information is available on the role of VIP and/or SP on the secretion of placental hormones, we investigated the effect of these neuropeptides on human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and progesterone release from primary cultured human trophoblastic and JEG-3 cells. The addition of increasing doses of VIP resulted in a dose-dependent stimulation of hCG release from cultured human trophoblast and JEG-3 cells. Increasing doses of VIP also dose-dependently stimulated progesterone secretion from primary cultured trophoblastic cells at all time points evaluated and from JEG-3 cells only after 3 h. SP did not affect hCG and progesterone secretion either in cultured human trophoblast or in JEG-3 cells. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that VIP and SP are mainly expressed in human trophoblasts, and that VIP modulates the in vitro secretion of hCG and progesterone, suggesting a different role in trophoblastic function of the two peptides.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed2004

Inhibins and activins in pregnancy.

Human placenta, decidua, and fetal membranes are the major sites of production and secretion of inhibin A and activin A in maternal serum, amniotic fluid, and umbilical cord blood. These tissues also express follistatin-related gene and betaglycan, the binding proteins of activin A and inhibin A, respectively, recently identified. They show a different expression throughout pregnancy, suggesting new functional roles into gestational tissues. The availability of suitable assays for measuring inhibin A and activin A lead us the possibility to investigate their secretion in healthy pregnancy. In addition, several evidences underline the potential role and the clinical usefulness of their measurement in the diagnosis, prevention, prognosis and follow-up of different gestational pathologies such as: threatened abortion, placental tumors, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, intrauterine growth restriction, fetal hypoxia. The measurement of inhibin A and activin A into the biological fluids of pregnancy will offer in the future further possibilities in early diagnosis, prediction, and monitoring pregnancy diseases.

Activins↗
PubMed2004

The measurement of maternal plasma corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and CRF-binding protein improves the early prediction of preeclampsia.

In the present study we measured maternal plasma concentrations of two placental neurohormones, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and CRF-binding protein (CRF-BP), in 58 at-risk pregnant women consecutively enrolled between 28 and 29 wk of pregnancy to evaluate whether their evaluation may predict third trimester-onset preeclampsia (PE). The statistical significance was assessed by t test. The cut-off points for defining altered CRF and CRF-BP levels for prediction of PE were chosen by receiving operator characteristics curve analysis, and the probability of developing PE was calculated for several combinations of hormone testing results. CRF and CRF-BP levels were significantly (both P < 0.0001) higher and lower, respectively, in the patients (n = 20) who later developed PE than in those who did not present PE at follow-up. CRF at the cut-off 425.95 pmol/liter achieved a sensitivity of 94.8% and a specificity of 96.9%, whereas CRF-BP at the cut-off 125.8 nmol/liter combined a sensitivity of 92.5% and a specificity of 82.5% as single markers for prediction of PE. The probability of PE was 34.5% in the whole study population, 93.75% when both CRF and CRF-BP levels were changed, and 0% if both hormone markers were unaltered. The measurement of CRF and CRF-BP levels may add significant prognostic information for predicting PE in at-risk pregnant women.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Increase of enamel fluoride retention by low fluence argon laser in vivo.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this in vivo study was to investigate if argon laser irradiation of enamel can increase the retention of fluoride. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-eight teeth in 12 patients were randomly divided into three groups: (1) EF group: 40 teeth were only treated by fluoride gel (application for 5 minutes followed by 1 minute rinsing with distilled water). (2) EFL group: 40 teeth were treated the same way as in the EF group but they were lased after fluoridation. (3) E group of 18 teeth were kept without any treatment and considered as reference. In order to quantify the fluoride content in the enamel samples, the teeth were analyzed by proton beam delivered by a tandem accelerator (PIgammaE, particle induced gamma-ray emission). The fluoride content of enamel surface is not homogeneous. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the same enamel area after each treatment. Each tooth was maintained in a fixed tooth holder which was designed to analyze the tooth enamel surface at the same place (1 mm(2) and around 20 mum in depth) after various treatments. A low energy density of argon laser beam was used: 10.74 J/cm(2), 30 seconds of irradiation time and 340 m W of output power. RESULTS: The results after 7 days showed that the lased enamel still retained 157.4 +/- 23.371 ppm or 42.29% of fluoride after fluoridation process whereas the unlased enamel retained 45.59 +/- 9.377 ppm or 12.25% of fluoride. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that the use of argon laser at low energy density (10.74 J/cm(2)) significantly increases the fluoride retention in lased enamel which had approximately three times more fluoride than the unlased enamel.

Dental Enamel↗
PubMed2003

The addition of activin A and inhibin A measurement to uterine artery Doppler velocimetry to improve the early prediction of pre-eclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the measurement of maternal serum activin A and inhibin A adds any clinically relevant information for the prediction of pre-eclampsia in women with altered uterine artery Doppler velocimetry at 24 weeks of gestation. METHODS: This was a prospective, controlled, hospital-based study involving 58 asymptomatic pregnant women at 24 weeks' gestation in whom a diastolic notch of the uterine artery waveform was noted at routine Doppler examination. Doppler assessment of the uterine artery waveform and measurement of maternal activin A and inhibin A serum levels by specific two-site enzyme immunoassays were performed. The cut-off points for defining 'high' serum activin A and inhibin A levels for prediction of pre-eclampsia were chosen by receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis. The probability of developing pre-eclampsia was calculated for several combinations of results of hormone testing. RESULTS: Activin A and inhibin A levels were higher in patients who developed pre-eclampsia (n = 18; mean +/- standard error: 2.69 +/- 0.35 ng/mL and 131.2 +/- 22.7 pg/mL, respectively) than in those who did not present with pre-eclampsia at follow-up (n = 40; activin A: 1.79 +/- 0.18 ng/mL and inhibin A: 91.9 +/- 6.2 pg/mL; P < 0.05). Activin A at the cut-off value of 1.7 multiples of the median (MoM) achieved a sensitivity of 61% and a specificity of 89%, whereas inhibin A at the cut-off value of 1.8 MoM combined a sensitivity of 39% with a specificity of 92% for prediction of pre-eclampsia. The probability of pre-eclampsia was 31% in the whole study population, 86% if both activin A and inhibin A were elevated and 17% if both hormone markers were unaltered. CONCLUSION: The measurement of serum activin A and inhibin A levels may add significant prognostic information for predicting pre-eclampsia in pregnant women showing specific Doppler alterations in the late second trimester.

Activins↗
PubMed2003

Human placenta and fetal membranes express follistatin-related gene mRNA and protein.

Activin A is a placental glycoprotein and possible biological actions during pregnancy, suggested by experimental data, are the modulation of cytotrophoblast differentiation, placental hormonogenesis and uterotonins secretion. Follistatin-related gene (FLRG) is a 70 amino acids protein which binds activin A with high affinity, and which modulates its biological effects on target tissues by preventing the activin A interaction with its receptors. The present study investigated whether trophoblast, decidua and fetal membranes express FLRG mRNA (by RT-PCR) and peptide (by immunohistochemistry). Tissue specimens were collected at first and third trimester of pregnancy, from patients undergoing voluntary pregnancy interruption (no.=6; from 8 to 12 gestational weeks) and elective caesarean section at term (no.=6; 39-40 weeks of pregnancy). FLRG mRNA was expressed by the various gestational tissues both at early gestation and at term pregnancy. Immunoreactive protein was found in the trophoblast cells, epithelial amniotic and chorionic cells and maternal decidua; nevertheless, the most intense FLRG stain was detected in the walls of decidual and placental blood vessels. In conclusion, FLRG mRNA and peptide are expressed by placenta and fetal membranes. Its different immunolocalization with respect to follistatin and activin A supports a different role for FLRG in modulating activin A actions into gestational tissues.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Prediction of successful induction of labor at term: role of clinical history, digital examination, ultrasound assessment of the cervix, and fetal fibronectin assay.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether biochemical (fetal fibronectin assay) or biophysical (cervical assessment by transvaginal ultrasound) tests may have more value than digital examination in predicting successful induction of labor at term. STUDY DESIGN: The study enrolled prospectively 134 women undergoing labor induction at term caused by several obstetric conditions. All participants submitted to digital examination, fetal fibronectin assay, and transvaginal ultrasound for measurement of the cervical length and detection of funneling. The performance of each test in predicting delivery within 24 hours of labor induction was evaluated. Cox multiple regression analysis was performed to identify, among clinical and laboratory tests, which variables were independently associated with the duration of the latent phase and with the total duration of induced labor. RESULTS: The likelihood ratios for positive results (predicting that delivery would occur within 24 hours) were 6.61 (95% CI, 1.7-25.8) for a positive obstetric history (previous vaginal delivery), 2.61 (95% CI, 1.6-4.3) for a "favorable" digital examination, 1.41 (95% CI, 0.9-2.2) for a positive fetal fibronectin test, 1.61 (95% CI, 0.9-3.0) for cervical length, and 2.20 (95% CI, 1.1-4.4) for the presence of funneling at transvaginal ultrasound. The likelihood ratios for negative results were 1.81 (1.3-2.5) for obstetric history, 4.34 (2.5-7.7) for digital examination, 1.41 (0.9-2.1) for fetal fibronectin, 1.29 (1.0-1.7) for cervical length, and 1.48 (1.1-2.0) for funneling. On multiple regression, the only variables independently associated with the duration of the latent phase and with the total duration of induced labor were obstetric history and digital examination. CONCLUSION: Only obstetric history and digital examination predicted accurately vaginal delivery within 24 hours and were independently associated with labor duration. Fetal fibronectin and ultrasound measurements failed to predict accurately the outcome of induced labor.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Inhibin A, inhibin B and activin A concentrations in umbilical cord artery and vein.

Activin A and inhibins (A and B) are growth factors expressed during pregnancy by the human placenta, decidua and fetal membranes, and by several fetal organs. They are secreted in both the maternal and the fetal circulations, but the net contribution of the fetus to inhibins/activin A production is still unclear. In the present study we determined whether there was a difference in the serum concentration of activin A, inhibin A and inhibin B between the artery and vein of the umbilical cord. Arterial and venous umbilical cord blood was obtained immediately before elective Cesarean section of 16 term infants from uncomplicated pregnancies. Inhibins and activin A levels were assayed by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The paired t-test and linear regression analysis were used to calculate statistical significance. Inhibin A levels did not differ between the artery and vein of the umbilical cord. In contrast, arterial inhibin B levels were significantly (p < 0.001) lower, and activin A concentrations significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the respective venous concentrations. A significant correlation between arterial and venous levels of inhibin A (r = 0.591; p < 0.05), inhibin B (r = 0.749; p < 0.0001) and activin A (r = 0.571; p < 0.05) was found. The present findings suggest that the human placenta is the main source of inhibin B, and the fetus of activin A, in the umbilical cord. In light of the possible roles played by inhibin and activin in erythroid differentiation, protection of neurons against brain injury and modulation of adrenal and pancreatic hormone release, the present data may be of help in evaluating their changes in the umbilical cord when gestational diseases occur.

Activins↗
PubMed2003

Cervical ripening and induction of labor by prostaglandin E2: a comparison between intracervical gel and vaginal pessary.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness and safety of two formulations of prostaglandin (PG) E2 (gel and pessary) for induction of labor. Primary outcomes were cervical ripening, initiation/duration of labor, and type of delivery. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 115 women with singleton gestations were consecutively enrolled and assigned to receive intracervical PGE2 (dinoprostone 0.5 mg) by gel (n = 66) or PGE2 (dinoprostone 10 mg) by intravaginal pessary (n = 49). RESULTS: Independently from parity, the vaginal pessary induced successful cervical ripening with a slightly higher but not statistically significant occurrence of vaginal delivery with respect to gel induction. The mean time interval from induction to vaginal delivery did not differ between groups, despite being shorter for the pessary group in inducation-delivery intervals > 12 h. No significant differences were found between the groups with respect to patients who required a second course of PGE2 (9% vs. 2%), as well as oxytocin (11% vs. 13%) induction. No significant difference was found in the incidence of uterine hyperstimulation and other adverse reactions in nulliparas, or in fetal and neonatal outcome. CONCLUSION: Independently from parity, both PGE2 administration routes appeared to be effective in achieving cervical ripening, initiation of labor and optimal type of delivery, and showed the same incidence of side-effects.

Administration, Intravaginal↗
PubMed2003

Abnormal umbilical artery Doppler waveforms and cord blood inhibin a and inhibin B levels.

Inhibin A and inhibin B are glycoprotein hormones produced by human placenta and by several fetal organs during pregnancy. They are secreted in maternal circulation in increasing amounts from early until term pregnancy, and in umbilical cord blood levels are significantly lower than in maternal serum and do not differ from mid-pregnancy to term gestation. In the present study, we aimed to determine whether secretion of inhibin A and inhibin B into the fetal circulation is increased in pregnancies complicated by umbilical-placental vascular insufficiency. A group of women (n = 13) with abnormal Doppler umbilical artery flow velocimetry and a group of control women (n = 11) with uncomplicated term pregnancies and normal umbilical artery flow velocity waveforms were studied. In each woman, inhibin A and inhibin B concentrations were estimated in umbilical cord artery and vein. In the two groups of women, mean inhibin A levels did not differ between umbilical cord artery and vein. In addition, no difference was retrieved both in umbilical cord artery and vein values between healthy controls and patients with abnormal Doppler umbilical artery flow velocimetry. On the contrary, inhibin B levels were significantly higher in samples from umbilical cord vein than artery, in both groups of pregnant women (both p < 0.001). However, women with abnormal Doppler umbilical artery flow velocimetry had inhibin B levels significantly higher than healthy controls (p = 0.005) only in the umbilical cord artery, but not in the vein. In the presence of abnormal Doppler umbilical artery flow velocity, the concentrations of inhibin B are increased in the arterial umbilical circulation, suggesting that inhibin B is released from multiple fetal sources as a response to hypoxemic stress. As inhibins may affect the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis which plays an important role in the mechanisms of adaptations to the post-natal life, inhibin B in fetal circulation might then be beneficial to a fetus whose intrauterine survival is threatened by impaired umbilical-placental blood flow.

Adult↗