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December 1, 1966The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism138 citations

Serum Placental Lactogen Levels During Pregnancy and in Trophoblastic Disease

NSN. A. SamaanThe University of Texas System SYS. C. C. YENUniversity of California, San Diego HFHenry G. FriesenUniversity of Manitoba

Key Points

This research aims to quantify serum placental lactogen levels during pregnancy and in cases of trophoblastic disease.
Utilized a quantitative radioimmunoassay for human placental lactogen in serum
Detected HPL in pregnant women as early as the sixth week of gestation
Measured serum HPL levels in patients with trophoblastic tumors.
HPL levels rose steadily during the first and second trimesters, plateauing in the third trimester
Serum HPL levels were consistent throughout the day and unaffected by blood sugar changes
HPL levels in trophoblastic tumor patients were comparable to early pregnancy, indicating limited change.

Abstract

A quantitative radioimmunoassay for human placental lactogen (HPL) in serum is described utilizing a highly purified preparation of HPL. HPL was detected in the serum of pregnant women as early as the sixth week of gestation and the levels rose steadily during the first and second trimesters, reaching a plateau during the third trimester. Serum HPL levels show little variation during the day and are not affected by induced hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. HPL disappears promptly from the blood after delivery with a half-life in serum of approximately 30 min. Relatively small quantities of HPL were detectable in umbilical cord blood, indicating only a minor transplacental transfer of this protein. HPL was measured in the serum of 6 patients with trophoblastic tumors, and the levels were comparable to those of early pregnancy or lower.

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