SOMATOMEDIN IN NEWBORNS AND THE RELATIONSHIP TO HUMAN CHORIONIC SOMATOTROPIN AND FETAL GROWTH

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The significance of somatomedin A (SM) and human chorionic somatomammotropin (HCS) in fetal growth was examined. SM, determined by chick embryo, assay, was studied during the last trimester of pregnancy in maternal serum and cord blood at term and in a group of normal newborns in the 1st wk of life. A group of newborns of diabetic mothers was studied in the 1st or 2nd day of life. HCS was measured in maternal serum and in cord blood at term. In amniotic fluid inhibitory factors caused a low SM activity as measured by the bioassay. Normal values of SM in the last trimester with a decline at term were found in 3 normal primigravidae. The mean levels of SM in 22 mothers and their offspring were decreased. The difference between the 2 values was significant but a positive correlation was found between the maternally related pairs of SM values. A positive correlation was found between maternal SM, birth wt and length. HCS was not correlated to above-mentioned parameters but there was positive correlation between placental wt and birth wt. In 6 newborns during the first 5 days SM rose from very low values to normal values found in infants in their 1st yr. The mean value of SM in 10 newborns of diabetic mothers was not significantly different from the mean value of control group. A transplacental transport of SM is possible. The positive correlation between SM levels and birth wt indicates that SM plays an important role in fetal growth.