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Nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and neurotrophin-3 levels in human amniotic fluid.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Marx, CE; Vance, BJ; Jarskog, LF; Chescheir, NC; Gilmore, JH
Published in: Am J Obstet Gynecol
November 1999

OBJECTIVE: Neurotrophins are proteins that promote neuronal growth and differentiation. In this pilot study we determined whether the neurotrophins nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and neurotrophin-3 were present in amniotic fluid specimens to begin to elucidate their developmental regulation. We also explored associations between neurotrophin levels and central nervous system abnormalities and exposure to infection. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred thirty-four amniotic fluid specimens were obtained from women undergoing amniocentesis at University of North Carolina Hospitals. Each specimen was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and neurotrophin 3. Associations of maternal age, gestational age, and maternal ethnicity with neurotrophin levels were explored. Neurotrophin levels in pregnancies in which there was enlargement of the fetal cerebral lateral ventricles or exposure to infection were compared with those in control pregnancies. Spearman correlational analyses and analyses of covariance were performed, with adjustment for gestational age. RESULTS: Nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and neurotrophin 3 were detected in all amniotic fluid specimens. Nerve growth factor increased with gestational age (P =.045). Brain-derived neurotrophic factor decreased with gestational age (P =.035). Patients with ventriculomegaly (with or without other central nervous system abnormalities) on ultrasonographic examination (n = 6) had significantly lower nerve growth factor levels than control subjects (P =.0046); patients with evidence of infection (n = 5) during pregnancy had significantly lower nerve growth factor (P =.0037) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (P =.0362) levels. CONCLUSIONS: Nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and neurotrophin 3 are detectable in amniotic fluid and vary with gestational age. Decreased nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in amniotic fluid may be a marker for the presence of central nervous system abnormalities, infectious insults in utero, or both.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Am J Obstet Gynecol

DOI

ISSN

0002-9378

Publication Date

November 1999

Volume

181

Issue

5 Pt 1

Start / End Page

1225 / 1230

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious
  • Pregnancy
  • Pilot Projects
  • Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine
  • Neurotrophin 3
  • Nerve Growth Factor
  • Humans
  • Gestational Age
  • Fetal Diseases
 

Citation

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ICMJE
MLA
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Marx, C. E., Vance, B. J., Jarskog, L. F., Chescheir, N. C., & Gilmore, J. H. (1999). Nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and neurotrophin-3 levels in human amniotic fluid. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 181(5 Pt 1), 1225–1230. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0002-9378(99)70113-4
Marx, C. E., B. J. Vance, L. F. Jarskog, N. C. Chescheir, and J. H. Gilmore. “Nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and neurotrophin-3 levels in human amniotic fluid.Am J Obstet Gynecol 181, no. 5 Pt 1 (November 1999): 1225–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0002-9378(99)70113-4.
Marx CE, Vance BJ, Jarskog LF, Chescheir NC, Gilmore JH. Nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and neurotrophin-3 levels in human amniotic fluid. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1999 Nov;181(5 Pt 1):1225–30.
Marx, C. E., et al. “Nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and neurotrophin-3 levels in human amniotic fluid.Am J Obstet Gynecol, vol. 181, no. 5 Pt 1, Nov. 1999, pp. 1225–30. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/s0002-9378(99)70113-4.
Marx CE, Vance BJ, Jarskog LF, Chescheir NC, Gilmore JH. Nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and neurotrophin-3 levels in human amniotic fluid. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1999 Nov;181(5 Pt 1):1225–1230.
Journal cover image

Published In

Am J Obstet Gynecol

DOI

ISSN

0002-9378

Publication Date

November 1999

Volume

181

Issue

5 Pt 1

Start / End Page

1225 / 1230

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious
  • Pregnancy
  • Pilot Projects
  • Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine
  • Neurotrophin 3
  • Nerve Growth Factor
  • Humans
  • Gestational Age
  • Fetal Diseases