ISSN:
1471-0528
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary. Serum profiles of growth hormone (GW) were recorded for 24 h in women at different stages of normal pregnancy. Two monoclonal antibodies directcd against different epitopes and unaffected by human placental lactogen were used in radioimmunoassays to distinguish the pituitary 22K-GH from the placental GH variant. The ‘normal’ episodic peak activity of GH in non-pregnant and first trimester pregnant women was dramatically changed into a continuous very stable secretion during late pregnancy. This change was first observed at 17 weeks gestation. It is concluded that during the second half of pregnancy, serum measurements of GH reflect a major contribution from a non-cpisodically secreted placental GH variant and a concomitant suppression of pituitary GH. This specific signal, i.e. a continuous GH secretion, may be an important regulator of maternal liver metabolism during pregnancy.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.1989.tb03352.x
