Serum angiogenin levels during menstrual cycle and pregnancy

To evaluate alterations in maternal circulating angiogenin levels with advancing gestation and to assess the effect of labor stress on serum angiogenin levels in neonates delivered vaginally and by cesarean section.

The maternal circulating angiogenin concentrations were compared in 37 normotensive nonpregnant women, in 60 normotensive pregnant women from 7 to 41 weeks of gestation, and in 12 normotensive postpartum women on the 3rd puerperal day. The serum angiogenin concentrations were also measured in 12 patients with threatened premature labor. Moreover, maternal and fetal serum angiogenin samples before and after delivery were used to determine differences in 12 neonates delivered vaginally and in 11 neonates delivered by elective cesarean section. The serum angiogenin level was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

There was no significant difference in serum angiogenin levels during each phase of the menstrual cycle. The serum angiogenin levels were decreasing until 15 weeks of gestation and increasing thereafter. There was no significant difference in serum angiogenin levels between normal pregnant women and in patients with threatened premature labor. Labor stress did not affect either maternal or fetal serum angiogenin concentrations. The serum angiogenin levels of the neonates were significantly lower than those in maternal serum after both vaginal delivery and delivery by cesarean section.

These results suggest that regulatory mechanisms of angiogenin may exist during pregnancy.