Placental growth hormone, pituitary growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor, and ghrelin in umbilical cord blood serum and amniotic fluid

Abstract

Introduction: In the search for biomarkers that allow the prediction of neonatal growth and development, placental growth hormone(PGH), pituitary growth hormone (GH1), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and ghrelin concentrations were assessed in the amnioticfluid and in the umbilical cord blood of 92 neonates.

Material and methods: The proteins were assayed by the ELISA method. Their concentration values were compared in 57 full-termneonates and 35 prematurely born neonates, as well as in both large (> 4,000 g) and small neonates (< 2,500 g). Also, body mass andplacenta mass were compared.

Results: Statistically significant differences both between prematurely born neonates and full-term neonates and between large andsmall neonates were obtained only in terms of the body mass of neonates and placenta mass. The concentration values of the hormonesstudied did not show statistically significant differences. A distinct tendency was noticed towards an increase in PGH concentration inboth prematurely born and small neonates. In large neonates, statistically significantly higher IGF-1 concentrations were found comparedto the prematurely born neonates.

Conclusions: Our studies indicate an important role for PGH in maintaining a proper IGF-1 pool and demonstrate the existence ofa direct influence on the function of the placenta in prematurely born neonates through the activation of compensation mechanisms,which stimulate IGF-1 synthesis.