Clock Proteins Have the Potential to Improve Term Delivery Date Prediction: A Proof-of-Concept Study

Area of Science:

• Reproductive biology
• Proteomics
• Maternal-fetal medicine

Background:

• Current clinical tools for predicting term pregnancy delivery dates are limited.
• The 'pregnancy clock' involves complex maternal-fetal-placental signaling, with clock proteins as potential mediators.
• Few studies have explored clock proteins as predictors of gestational length.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of clock proteins as predictors of term delivery date.
• To identify specific proteins associated with time to birth (TTB).

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional proteome analysis of 2648 maternal serum samples.
• Samples collected between 18 and 28 weeks of gestation from mothers delivering at term.
• Analysis included pregnancies with and without complications.

Main Results:

• Fifteen proteins showed a direct association with TTB; 11 were novel associations with gestational age.
• A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase 12 (ADA12) was significantly associated with TTB.
• Higher ADA12 levels correlated with earlier birth (39^0/7 weeks vs. 39^3/7 weeks, p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

• ADA12 and other clock proteins show potential as clinical predictors for term delivery.
• These findings advance the understanding of clock proteins in regulating pregnancy duration.
• Further research may lead to improved prediction of delivery dates in uncomplicated pregnancies.