Relationship between maternal serum vascular endothelial growth factor concentration in early pregnancy and fetal and placental growth

• Published in: Human reproduction (Oxford) Vol. 14; no. 6; pp. 1619 - 1623
• Main Authors: Wheeler, T., Evans, P.W., Anthony, F.W., Godfrey, K.M., Howe, D.T., Osmond, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01.06.1999
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Birth Weight; birthweight; Embryonic and Fetal Development; Endothelial Growth Factors - blood; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gestational Age; Humans; Linear Models; Lymphokines - blood; Male; Mother. Fetoplacental unit. Mammary gland. Milk; Organ Size; Placenta - anatomy & histology; Placenta - diagnostic imaging; Placenta - physiology; placental volume; Pregnancy; Pregnancy. Parturition. Lactation; Sex Characteristics; Ultrasonography, Prenatal; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; VEGF; Vertebrates: reproduction; birthweight; VEGF; placental volume; Human; Vascular endothelium growth factor; Placenta; Fetal membrane; Anthropometry; Biological marker; Fetus; Early pregnancy; Serum; Birth weight; Woman; Ultrasound
• ISSN: 0268-1161; 1460-2350
• DOI: 10.1093/humrep/14.6.1619

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has important effects on endothelial cells increasing cell proliferation, permeability and nitric oxide production; concentrations of VEGF in the maternal serum increase during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. In this study, the relationship of maternal serum VEGF with maternal health during pregnancy and with fetal and placental size at mid-pregnancy and at term was investigated. Serum was obtained from 539 Caucasian women with singleton pregnancies between 8 and 20 weeks of pregnancy (mean 14 weeks). Total serum VEGF concentrations were measured by direct competitive radioimmunoassay. Fetal size and placental volume were measured by ultrasound between 16 and 20 weeks gestation. Birthweight, placental weight and anthropometric measurements of the baby were obtained after delivery. Serum VEGF concentrations were found to be higher in women with a lower weight before pregnancy (P = 0.01) and in those carrying a female fetus (P = 0.002). VEGF concentrations were positively correlated with placental volume (r = 0.17, P = 0.0001) but not with fetal size between 16 and 20 weeks gestation. Serum VEGF concentrations were positively correlated with both birthweight (r = 0.10, P = 0.02) and placental weight at delivery (r = 0.13, P = 0.003). The data presented support the view that VEGF may be one of the factors involved in mediating the maternal cardiovascular adaptation to pregnancy.