Serum levels of human placental lactogen, pregnancy-associated plasma protein A and endometrial secretory protein PP14 in first trimester of diabetic pregnancy

Objective. To study maternal serum levels of human placental lactogen (hPL), pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and endometrial secretory protein PP14 (PP14) in first trimester of diabetic pregnancy. Methods. Seventy-nine insulin-dependent diabetic women and 93 normal pregnant women had a venous blood sample drawn in weeks 8-14, ultrasound age. Serum levels were measured by radioimmunoassays and expressed in multiples of the median serum value in normal pregnancy at that ultrasound age. Results. Levels of hPL were significantly lower in diabetic mothers than in controls, z'= -5.502, p<0.00001. Levels of PAPP-A were also significantly lower, z'=2.263, p=0.024, but were significantly less depressed than those of hPL, z'=2.41, p=0.015. The PP14 levels did not deviate from normal. Conclusion. In first trimester of diabetic pregnancy there appears to be both a more general depression of trophoblast function, and also a specific depression of the hPL release.