Wheeler T, Evans P W, Anthony F W, Godfrey K M, Howe D T, Osmond C
Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Medical Research Council Environmental Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 5YA, UK.
Hum Reprod. 1999 Jun;14(6):1619-23. 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.
血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）对内皮细胞具有重要作用，可增加细胞增殖、通透性及一氧化氮生成；孕期前10周母体血清中VEGF浓度升高。本研究调查了母体血清VEGF与孕期母体健康以及孕中期和足月时胎儿及胎盘大小的关系。从539名妊娠8至20周（平均14周）的白人单胎妊娠妇女中采集血清。采用直接竞争放射免疫分析法测定血清VEGF总浓度。在妊娠16至20周期间通过超声测量胎儿大小和胎盘体积。分娩后获得婴儿的出生体重、胎盘重量及人体测量数据。发现孕前体重较低的妇女血清VEGF浓度较高（P = 0.01），且怀有女性胎儿的妇女血清VEGF浓度较高（P = 0.002）。VEGF浓度与胎盘体积呈正相关（r = 0.17，P = 0.0001），但与妊娠16至20周期间胎儿大小无关。血清VEGF浓度与出生体重（r = 0.10，P = 0.02）及分娩时胎盘重量均呈正相关（r = 0.13，P = 0.003）。所呈现的数据支持以下观点，即VEGF可能是介导母体心血管适应妊娠的因素之一。
