Serum levels of inhibin B, unlike inhibin A and activin A, are not alteredin women with preeclampsia

PROBLEM: To investigate whether inhibin A, inhibin B, and activin A serum l evels are altered in women with preeclampsia. METHOD OF STUDY: Serum samples of 20 women with preeclampsia (study group) and 20 normotensive pregnant women, matched for maternal and gestational ag e and parity, were assayed for inhibin A, inhibin B and activin A by specif ic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Median serum concentrations of inhibin A and activin A were signif icantly higher among women with preeclampsia than in women with normotensiv e pregnancies, while inhibin B levels were comparable in both groups. Activ in A levels were positively correlated with those of inhibins A, and B, and inhibin A levels were positively correlated with diastolic blood pressure and inhibin B concentration in the study group. CONCLUSIONS: Inhibin A and activin A, but not inhibin B, serum levels are m arkedly increased in women with preeclampsia. These hormones might serve as an endocrine marker for preeclampsia.