Prediction of preterm delivery based on maternal plasma urocortin.

Context: Preterm birth still remains a significant management problem, and a large number of markers of the disease have been investigated.

Objective: We measured plasma levels of urocortin, a neuropeptide expressed by gestational tissues, in women with threatened preterm labor (TPTL) to evaluate whether the measurement may predict preterm delivery (PTD).

Design: We studied patients as part of an open observational study.

Maternal plasma corticotrophin-releasing factor and urocortin levels in post-term pregnancies.

Objective: Corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) and urocortin are two placental neuropeptides that are involved in the mechanisms of labour by modulating myometrial activity. Maternal plasma levels of both CRF and urocortin are increased at term and preterm labour, whilst those of CRF are reduced in women who are destined to experience post-term delivery. The present study evaluated maternal plasma levels in term and post-term pregnancies out of labour.

Listeriosis in pregnancy: a case report.

Listeria monocytogenes is an alimentary infection which can be extremely dangerous for pregnant women. A 34-year-old pregnant woman was hospitalized with fetal cardiac rate alterations and influenza-like symptoms. A caesarean section due to fetal distress was performed.

Reduced maternal plasma urocortin concentrations and impaired uterine artery blood flow at human mid pregnancy.

Objective: Urocortin is a placental neuropeptide belonging to the family of corticotropin-releasing factors (CRFs), playing a role in the uteroplacental blood flow regulation through the binding to specific CRF receptors. Since CRF receptors are expressed in the uterine vascular bed of pregnant rats, and because urocortin has a relaxant effect on uterine vasculature, we evaluated mid-gestation plasma urocortin levels in women with impaired blood flow through uterine arteries.

Methods: Maternal plasma urocortin was assayed by specific radioimmunoassay and uterine artery resistance index (RI) by Doppler evaluation at 22-24 weeks' gestation in 57 healthy pregnant women, of which 29 showed a monolateral or bilateral uterine artery notch.

Maternal position during non-stress test and fetal heart rate patterns.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determinate whether maternal position during the non-stress test (NST) in different weeks of pregnancy influences fetal heart rate patterns.

Materials And Methods: A total of 1055 NST lasting 30 min were performed in 368 autochthonous mothers with low-risk pregnancies. On the basis of maternal position during the test we divided into three groups: reclining, sitting, and walking.

Endometrial expression and secretion of activin A, but not follistatin, increase in the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle.

Objective: Activin A is a growth factor expressed by human endometrium, and its biologic effects are counteracted by follistatin. We evaluate whether activin A and follistatin mRNA and peptide expression as well as protein secretion from human endometrium change throughout the menstrual cycle.

Methods: In 25 healthy fertile patients, uterine washing fluid was retrieved by hydrosonography.

Placental stress factors and maternal-fetal adaptive response: the corticotropin-releasing factor family.

The placenta and its accessory membranes amnion and chorion undertake the role of intermediary barriers and active messengers in the maternal-fetal dialog. They synthesize, metabolize, and serve as target to numerous hormones that regulate maternal and fetal physiology during pregnancy. Among these factors, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) has been one of the more investigated in the last decade.

Identification of activin A and follistatin in human milk.

Activin A is a dimeric protein member of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) family: it is synthesized by a variety of organs and follistatin is an activin-binding protein. A sensitive and specific assays for bioactive dimeric activin A and follistatin have recently allowed to measure these proteins in blood and other biological fluids, giving a new insights into their possible physiological role. Since human breast is able to produce activin A, the aim of the present study was to evaluate whether it and follistatin are measurable in breast milk of women during lactation.