Alpha-fetoprotein and hematopoietic growth factors in amniotic fluid

To determine whether a relationship exists between alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and hematopoietic growth factors in amniotic fluid.

Forty-one women at 15 weeks' gestation were included in the study. Gestational age was assessed by obtaining a reliable menstrual history and scanning. Amniocentesis was performed, and each woman subsequently delivered anatomically and chromosomally normal infants. The level of AFP was determined using a standard automated procedure. The concentrations of stem cell factor, interleukin 3, interleukin 6, erythropoietin, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) were measured using a commercially available immunoassay. The relationships between AFP and the studied cytokines were evaluated using the Pearson linear correlation test. Significant correlations were studied further by linear and nonlinear regression to obtain the best predictive model.

There was a significant correlation between AFP and stem cell factor (r =.47, P =.002). No significant correlations between AFP and the rest of the studied cytokines were found (r = -.07, r =.02, r = -.02, and r = -.11 for erythropoietin, G-CSF, interleukin 3, and interleukin 6, respectively).

Alpha-fetoprotein is significantly correlated with stem cell factor in early pregnancy and might play a role in fetal hematopoiesis.