Decidual prolactin content and secretion at term. Correlations with the clinical data

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Endocrinology
• Perinatal Biology

Background:

• Decidual prolactin (PRL) plays a role in pregnancy.
• Understanding its distribution and influencing factors is crucial for perinatal care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the distributions of decidual PRL content (D-PRL) and secretion (D-PRL-s) at term.
• To investigate the influence of clinical data on D-PRL and D-PRL-s.
• To examine the correlation between D-PRL, D-PRL-s, and amniotic fluid PRL (A-PRL).

Main Methods:

• Decidual tissue was collected from 134 term pregnancies.
• D-PRL and D-PRL-s were measured in vitro.
• Statistical analyses, including logarithmic transformation and stepwise multiple regression, were employed.

Main Results:

• D-PRL and D-PRL-s distributions were right-skewed, normalized by logarithmic transformation.
• Intra-uterine asphyxia reduced D-PRL-s but not D-PRL.
• No significant differences in D-PRL or D-PRL-s were observed based on labor stimulation or mode of delivery (vaginal vs. elective cesarean).
• Logarithmically transformed A-PRL strongly correlated with D-PRL, further improved by gestational week.
• D-PRL-s correlated with D-PRL, and D-PRL correlated with gestational week in normal pregnancies.

Conclusions:

• Amniotic fluid PRL concentration is closely correlated with decidual PRL content, influenced by gestational week.
• Decidual PRL secretion is affected by specific clinical events like intra-uterine asphyxia.
• Routine clinical data and delivery methods do not significantly alter decidual PRL measures.