Serum-free placental growth factor isoform 1 at 11–13-week gestation: effects of maternal factors, mean arterial pressure, placental volume, and uterine artery pulsatility index

Abstract

Introduction: To define the effects of maternal factors, mean arterial pressure (MAP), placental volume (PV), and uterine artery Doppler pulsatility index (UtAPI) to serum level of free form of placental growth factor isoform 1 (free PlGF-1) measured with a novel automated assay.

Methods: We enrolled 200 Thai women singleton pregnancy from 11⁺⁰ to 13⁺⁶ weeks gestation with low prior risk maternal factors (age, parity, tobacco use, assisted reproductive technology, and body mass index). MAP was measured. Serum-free PlGF-1, PV, and UtAPI were measured with a new assay, transabdominal three-dimensional, and color Doppler ultrasounds, respectively. Effects of these variables to serum-free PlGF-1 level were assessed.

Results: Data from 195 eligible subjects showed an elevation of serum-free PlGF-1 from 11, 12, and 13 weeks (mean ± SD; 36.89 ± 24.92, 38.71 ± 17.44, and 49.68 ± 22.30 pg/mL, respectively (p < .05)). Serum-free PlGF-1 level showed positive correlation with PV (r = 0.290, p < .01), and negative correlation with right and left UtAPI (r = −0.717, p = .05 and r = −0.221, p < .05, respectively). PV showed negative correlation with right and left UtAPI (r = −0.243, p < .05 and r = −0.372, p < .05, respectively). Serum-free PlGF-1 level had no significant correlation with maternal factors or MAP (p > .05). There was no preeclampsia at <34 weeks in 161 subjects (82.6%) with known pregnancy outcomes.

Conclusions: There was modest correlation of serum-free PlGF-1, PV, and UtAPI, but not with maternal factors or MAP. Adjustment of serum-free PlGF-1 in early preeclampsia screening algorithm should be considered.

Keywords:

• First-trimester screening
• placental growth factor
• placental volume
• preeclampsia
• uterine artery

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a fellowship research grant from Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. The reagents and equipment for the measurement of serum-free PlGF-1 were provided by Global Biotech Limited, Bangkok, Thailand and Thermo, Fisher Scientific, Hennigsdorf, Germany. The authors want to thank Prakong Chuenwattana, PhD, and Suchitra Pongprasobchai, RN, for their assistance in enrollment process. The authors also thank Suthipol Udompunthurak, MSc and Ratchaneekorn Hanyongyuth, BSc, for their technical support.

Compliance with ethical standards

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.