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Prostate specific antigen in cord blood
1Department of Biochemistry, Dr. RP Government Medical College, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh India.
Insights
Prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels in cord blood are higher in male infants, at later gestational ages, and after operative delivery. These findings suggest a role for PSA in fetal development and response to birth stress.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Endocrinology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is present in fetal cord blood, influenced by placental hormones like progesterone and estradiol.
- PSA's proteolytic activity suggests a role in fetal growth by modulating growth factors and cytokines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between cord blood PSA levels and gestational age, delivery type, and fetal gender.
- To explore potential hormonal influences on cord blood PSA concentrations.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 57 cord blood samples using a highly sensitive two-site immuno-radiometric assay for PSA.
- Correlation of PSA levels with clinical data including gestational age, delivery method (vaginal, operative), and infant gender.
Main Results:
- Mean cord blood PSA was 0.112 ± 0.027 ng/ml.
- Higher PSA levels were observed with increased gestational age, in male infants, and following operative delivery.
- All male samples showed detectable PSA, whereas 50% of female samples had levels below the detection limit.
Conclusions:
- Cord blood PSA levels are significantly influenced by fetal gender, gestational maturity, and delivery interventions.
- Elevated PSA in male infants may be linked to higher prenatal progesterone levels.
- Increased cord blood PSA after operative delivery suggests a stress-induced response.
Abstract:
Recent studies have demonstrated the presence of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in cord blood of male as well as female babies. The placental progesterone and estradiol up-regulate the synthesis and secretion of PSA in Placenta. This PSA is presumed to play a role in intrauterine growth of fetus by virtue of its proteolytic action on several substrates including insulin-like-growth-factor-binding-protein-3, insulin chains and Interleukin-2. This study was planned with the objective of correlating the levels of PSA in cord blood to gestation at delivery, the type of delivery and gender of the fetus. Fifty-seven cord blood samples were collected from the umbilical cord during delivery or mid-trimester abortion and analyzed for PSA using 'Active PSA DSL-9700 ultra sensitive' kit employing two-site immuno-radiometric assay principle and having a detection limit of 0.001 ng/ml. Mean PSA levels in cord blood were found to be 0.112 ± 0.027 ng/ml. The concentration of PSA in cord blood was found to be higher in case of higher gestational age, male baby and operative delivery. 50 % of cord bloods for female babies had PSA below detection limit (range <0.001-0.460 ng/ml), while all the male samples had detectable PSA (range 0.11-0.973 ng/ml). Higher Progesterone levels found in prenatal maternal blood in case of male babies may be responsible for the higher cord blood PSA. Mean cord blood PSA was 0.150 ± 0.150 ng/ml in forceps delivery and 0.078 ± 0.012 ng/ml in normal vaginal delivery. Forceps delivery causes much more stress and strain as compared to a normal vaginal delivery, resulting in increased levels of adrenal glucocorticoids, and therefore, higher cord blood PSA.
