Volume 112, Issue 6, Pages 1112–1117

Authors:

Yelena Dondik, M.D., Kelly Pagidas, M.D., Elizabeth Eklund, M.S., Christina Ngo, Glenn E. Palomaki, Ph.D., Geralyn Lambert-Messerlian, Ph.D.

Abstract:

Objective

To determine whether differences exist in angiogenic placental growth factor (PlGF) and antiangiogenic soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (sVEGFR-1; both being early markers of placental ischemic disease) in oocyte-donation (OD) pregnancies, compared with autologous in vitro fertilization (aIVF) and spontaneous pregnancies.

Design

Case-control study of residual second-trimester serum samples from women undergoing prenatal screening.

Setting

Academic medical center.

Patient(s)

Fifty-seven OD pregnancies were identified. Each OD pregnancy was matched to two spontaneous pregnancies (n = 114) and one aIVF pregnancy (n = 57).

Interventions(s)

None.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Second-trimester serum PlGF and sVEGFR-1 levels.

Result(s)

sVEGFR-1, PlGF, and unconjugated E2 levels were similar among the three study groups. The ratio of sVEGFR-1 to PlGF was significantly higher in the OD group. Consistently with previous studies, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in the OD group was significantly elevated compared with spontaneous pregnancy. Both aIVF and OD groups had greater levels of inhibin A than the spontaneous pregnancy group, and the OD group had significantly higher levels of inhibin A than the aIVF group. hCG levels were significantly elevated in aIVF compared with spontaneous pregnancy; however, levels were not different between aIVF and OD.

Conclusion(s)

Second-trimester serum sVEGFR-1 and PlGF levels were not significantly altered in OD pregnancies. Our data support previous findings that OD pregnancies have uniquely increased second-trimester AFP, hCG, and inhibin A levels compared with aIVF. However, the biologic basis of these marker elevations in OD may not be related to placental angiogenesis.

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