Stability of inhibin A and unconjugated oestriol in the second trimester of pregnancy.

Background: The introduction of a second trimester quadruple test for fetal Down's syndrome adds the measurement of serum inhibin A (InhA) and unconjugated oestriol (UE3) to the existing repertoire of alphafetoprotein and intact human chorionic gonadotrophin. The aim of this study was to assess the stability of InhA and UE3 in whole blood and serum.

Methods: To determine whole blood stability, five extra blood specimens were obtained from each of 10 women attending an antenatal clinic.

Decreased serum levels of kisspeptin in early pregnancy are associated with intra-uterine growth restriction and pre-eclampsia.

Objective: To investigate whether pregnancies with development of subsequent pre-eclampsia and intra-uterine growth restriction are associated with altered levels of kisspeptin in maternal serum in the second trimester.

Study Design: Retrospective case-control study of 16-20 week serum samples matched for duration of storage at -70 degrees C. Levels of kisspeptin were measured in serum from women with pregnancies with subsequent development of pre-eclampsia (n = 57), intra-uterine growth restriction (n = 118), and matched controls (n = 317).

Maternal serum activin, inhibin, human chorionic gonadotrophin and alpha-fetoprotein as second trimester predictors of pre-eclampsia.

Objective: To compare the serum levels of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), alpha-fetoprotein, activin A, inhibin A and inhibin isoforms containing pro and alphaC in the second trimester serum of women who subsequently developed hypertensive disorders of pregnancy with those who remained normotensive throughout pregnancy.

Design: Retrospective case-control study of 15-20 week serum samples matched for duration of storage at -20 degrees C.

Setting: Antenatal clinics at a teaching hospital in Scotland.