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Published on: August 2, 2017
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Biochemical markers of placental dysfunction in assisted conception
Jolly Joy1, Lee Armstrong2, Joy Ardill2
1a Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , Queen's University Belfast , Belfast , UK and.
Human Fertility (Cambridge, England)
|November 13, 2015
Summary
Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) pregnancies show lower placental growth factor (PlGF) levels, suggesting placental dysfunction. Subfertile (SF) pregnancies exhibit higher leptin, indicating distinct biochemical profiles in these pregnancies.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Biochemistry
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Poor perinatal outcomes are linked to placental dysfunction in pregnancies conceived via assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and subfertility (SF).
- Investigating placental dysfunction requires analyzing key biochemical markers during pregnancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare plasma concentrations of placental dysfunction markers between ART, SF, and naturally conceived pregnancies.
- To identify specific biochemical differences associated with ART and SF conceptions.
Main Methods:
- Serial measurement of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt1), placental growth factor (PlGF), leptin, and plasminogen activator inhibitor 2 (PAI-2) in plasma.
- Measurements were taken at four antenatal time points and post-delivery.
- Control group comprised naturally conceived pregnancies without infertility history; all participants were age-matched, nulliparous, and non-smoking.
Main Results:
- ART pregnancies exhibited significantly lower PlGF levels at all antenatal time points compared to controls (p < 0.001).
- Subfertile (SF) pregnancies showed significantly higher leptin concentrations than other groups (p < 0.001), independent of BMI.
- No significant differences in sFlt1 or PAI-2 levels were observed between the groups.
Conclusions:
- Lower PlGF in ART pregnancies suggests potential abnormal placentation and function.
- Elevated leptin in SF pregnancies indicates distinct metabolic or endocrine profiles.
- These findings highlight specific placental marker alterations in ART and SF pregnancies, relevant to pregnancy complication risks.
