SOLUBLE TRANSFERRIN RECEPTOR IN THE STUDY OF FETAL ERYTHROPOIETIC ACTIVITY

In order to evaluate fetal erythropoiesis we measured red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum transferrin receptor (sTfR), and iron s tatus parameters in fetuses undergoing percutaneous umbilical blood sa mpling, and in normal newborns at term, We found high levels of stfR i n fetuses and newborns as compared with normal adults (3,149 +/- 181 v s, 1,881 +/- 137 ng/ml, P 0.0001). Concentrations of sTfR correlate wi th gestational age and red blood cell numbers(r = 0.441, P < 0.001; r = 0.366, P = 0.06). sTfR concentrations do not show correlation with i ron status parameters, The increased sTfR concentration is consistent with the fact that fetal life is characterized by cell proliferation a nd tissue growth. sTfR concentration correlates with gestational age a nd numbers of red blood cells, and can therefore be considered a good indicator of fetal erythropoiesis, It is conceivable that, during intr auterine life, sTfR expression is independent from iron status, sTfR d etermination will help in reaching a better understanding of some aspe cts of fetal physiology, and will help elucidate the physiopathology o f fetal hematological diseases. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.