MATERNAL SERUM VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH-FACTOR DURING EARLY-PREGNANCY

1. The objectives of the study were: (i) to investigate the serum conc entrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in pregnant an d non-pregnant women; and (ii) to study the relationship between the l evels of maternal serum VEGF and the serum concentrations of human cho rionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and progesterone during the first trimester , 2. Total immunoreactive VEGF was measured by competitive RIA using r ecombinant human VEGF(165) and a polyclonal antiserum, Serum VEGF was measured in 60 non-pregnant women of child-bearing age, These data wer e compared with serum VEGF measured in 363 women between 41 and 91 day s of gestation, 3. The median serum VEGF concentration was 1.10 mu g/l (interquartile range 0.91-1.30) in the non-pregnant women and 2.13 mu g/l (interquartile range 1.62-2.77) in the pregnant women, Serum leve ls of VEGF were significantly higher among the pregnant cohort (P < 0. 0001), Serum VEGF concentration was positively correlated,vith gestati onal age, increasing until ten completed weeks of pregnancy, Serum VEG F was negatively correlated with maternal height and weight, and posit ively correlated with serum hCG and serum progesterone (P less than or equal to 0.0001 in all cases), Serum VEGF was lower in the pregnant w omen who smoked (P = 0.06), 4. Our data show a positive and highly sig nificant correlation between maternal serum levels of VEGF and hormone s reflecting placental function (hCG, progesterone), We speculate that VEGF production is increased by progesterone and hCG, and that VEGF h as a positive influence on trophoblast development, VEGF may also be i nvolved in the initiation of the maternal cardiovascular adaptation to pregnancy.