Erythropoietin levels in amniotic fluid and extraembryonic coelomic fluid in the first trimester of pregnancy

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Abstract
Objective The aim was to measure erythropoietin levels in amniotic fluid and extraembryonic coelomic fluid from 7–12 weeks’ gestation. Subjects Twenty healthy women with ultrasonographically normal first trimester pregnancies prior to surgical termination. Methods Paired samples of amniotic fluid and extraembryonic coelomic fluid were collected by transvaginal ultrasound guided needling. Erythropoietin was measured in both pregnancy fluids using a radioimmunoassay. Results There was a highly significant difference between erythropoietin levels in extraembryonic coelomic fluid (median level 15.45 mU/ml; range 6.8–32.1 mU/ml) and those in amniotic fluid (median 5.0 mU/ml; range PU‐test). The levels of erythropoietin in maternal serum (median 15.4 mU/ml; range 5.6–29.4 mU/ml) were similar to those in the extraembryonic coelom (P= 0.81; Mann‐Whitney U‐test). No relation was demonstrated between erythropoietin levels in amniotic fluid or coelomic fluid and stage of gestation. Conclusion High levels of erythropoietin in coelomic fluid suggests that the hormone is involved in the process of human extraembryonic erythropoiesis. The exact regulatory role remains unknown.