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[Pituitary system with special reference to pituitary antibodies]
I Kobayashi1, K Shimizu, A Kuwabara
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gunma University School of Medicine, Maebashi.
Rinsho Byori. the Japanese Journal of Clinical Pathology
|February 1, 1993
Summary
Postpartum autoimmune endocrine syndrome may affect the anterior pituitary. Researchers detected increased antibodies to anterior pituitary cells after delivery in pregnant women, suggesting potential functional abnormalities.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Immunology
- Obstetrics
Context:
- Postpartum autoimmune thyroid syndrome has been described.
- An assay for antibodies to anterior pituitary cell surface membrane (PCSA) was established using immunofluorescent methods.
- The prevalence of PCSA antibodies before and after delivery was investigated.
Purpose:
- To determine the prevalence of antibodies to anterior pituitary cells before and after delivery in pregnant women.
- To explore the potential link between postpartum autoimmune endocrine syndrome and anterior pituitary function.
Summary:
- Antibodies to anterior pituitary cells (AtT-20 and GH3 cells) were measured in 16 pregnant women using immunofluorescence.
- Pre-delivery antibody detection rates were 31.3% for AtT-20 and 18.8% for GH3 cells.
- Postpartum antibody detection significantly increased, reaching 93.7% at 3 months postpartum for GH3 cells, suggesting a postpartum autoimmune endocrine syndrome at the anterior pituitary level.
Impact:
- The findings suggest a potential link between postpartum autoimmune conditions and anterior pituitary dysfunction.
- This research may lead to further investigation into the pathogenesis and clinical implications of postpartum autoimmune endocrine syndrome.
- Early detection of these antibodies could aid in identifying women at risk for pituitary abnormalities after pregnancy.