HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (6) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Torricelli, M. Articles by Petraglia, F. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Torricelli, M. Articles by Petraglia, F.

Maternal plasma corticotrophin-releasing factor and urocortin levels in post-term pregnancies

Chair of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, University of Siena, Policlinico ‘Le Scotte’, viale Bracci 53100 Siena, Italy¹ Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford,Oxford, UK

(Correspondence should be addressed to F Petraglia: Email: petraglia{at}unisi.it)

Objective: Corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) and urocortin are two placental neuropeptides that are involved in the mechanisms of labour by modulating myometrial activity. Maternal plasma levels of both CRF and urocortin are increased at term and preterm labour, whilst those of CRF are reduced in women who are destined to experience post-term delivery. The present study evaluated maternal plasma levels in term and post-term pregnancies out of labour.

Design: A group of healthy pregnant women was enrolled and subdivided as follows: (i) at term out of labour (n = 19; 276 ± 0.7 days of gestation; samples collected at the time of elective caesarean section due to previous uterine surgery); (ii) post-term (n = 19; 291 ± 1.4 days of gestation), from whom samples were collected before induction of labour.

Methods: Urocortin and CRF measurements by radioimmunoassay; digital palpatory cervical examination and Bishop score computation; cervical length and funnelling presence assessment by transvaginal ultrasonography.

Results: Maternal plasma CRF concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) lower whilst those of urocortin were unchanged in post-term compared with term pregnancy. However, CRF and urocortin levels were both significantly (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001 respectively) higher in pregnancies delivered within 12 h of labour induction than in those that remained undelivered, and were significantly correlated with the induction-delivery interval (CRF: r = –0.676, P = 0.0015; urocortin: r = –0.783, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions: CRF and urocortin levels are decreased and unchanged, respectively, in post-term pregnancy when compared with term pregnancy. Both CRF and urocortin correlate with the time of labour onset after induction. Since CRF derives from the placenta, and urocortin from the fetus, the concerted expression of these neuropeptides appears to be relevant in determining the length of human gestation.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. Latendresse and R. J. Ruiz Bioassay Research Methodology: Measuring CRH in Pregnancy Biol Res Nurs, July 1, 2008; 10(1): 54 - 62. [Abstract] [PDF]

				P. Florio, E. A. Linton, M. Torricelli, E. Faldini, F. M. Reis, A. Imperatore, G. Calonaci, E. Picciolini, and F. Petraglia Prediction of Preterm Delivery Based on Maternal Plasma Urocortin J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., December 1, 2007; 92(12): 4734 - 4737. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Florio, F. M. Reis, P. B. Torres, F. Calonaci, P. Toti, C. Bocchi, E. A. Linton, and F. Petraglia Plasma Urocortin Levels in the Diagnosis of Ovarian Endometriosis Obstet. Gynecol., September 1, 2007; 110(3): 594 - 600. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Smith Parturition N. Engl. J. Med., January 18, 2007; 356(3): 271 - 283. [Full Text] [PDF]