Concentrations of placental lactogen in chronically catheterized ewes and fetuses in late pregnancy

The concentration of ovine placental lactogen (oPL) was measured by radioimmunoassay in plasma samples from chronically catheterized ewes and their fetuses from day 110 of gestation to term (about day 145). Concentrations of oPL in the plasma of the mother and fetus were raised after surgery, and remained raised for 3--5 days after the operation. Concentrations of oPL were greatest in the fetus at days 120--124 of gestation, and then declined until delivery. Mean concentrations of oPL in the fetus in late pregnancy for single, twin and triplet pregnancies were 101 +/- 6 (S.E.M.), 100 +/- 11 and 115 +/- 59 ng/ml respectively and were not significantly different. Mean concentrations of oPL in the mother in late pregnancy for single, twin and triplet pregnancies were 718 +/- 227, 1387 +/- 160 and 1510 +/- 459 ng/ml respectively; the difference between these means was significant (P less than 0.05). Peak concentrations were noted at days 130--139 of gestation after which concentrations fell and were significantly lower on the day of delivery (P less than 0.01). Concentration of oPL in the mother showed no circadian rhythm. The mean concentrations of oPL in maternal plasma during late pregnancy was significantly correlated to the combined fetal weight at birth (r = 0.624, P less than 0.01).