CHARACTERIZATION OF 2 PREGNANCY ASSOCIATED SERUM-PROTEINS WITH PREGNANCY SPECIFIC BETA-1-GLYCOPROTEIN (PS-BETA-G)-DETERMINANTS

The existence of two pregnancy associated, partially identical glycoproteins with PSβG determinants were demonstrated in serum from pregnant women. Crossed and crossed-line immunoelectrophoretic analysis of pregnancy sera revealed two precipitates with α and βmobility, respectively. The ratio between the precipitation areas in various samples could be related to three different types of precipitation patterns observed in rocket immunoelectrophoresis. This variation in precipitation pattern could so far not be related to the progression of any obstetric parameters. The diphasic shape of the precipitate in crossed immunoelectrophoresis was not changed by incubation with normal human male serum or antibody to normal human serum. Incorporation of 4% PEG in the gels enhanced the precipitate in the αregion. The two cross-reactive glycoproteins were detected in all pregnant women examined. These results point to the need for specific antibody preparations permitting separate quantitation of the two antigen populations with PSβG determinants. © 1979 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.