Erythropoietin levels in amniotic fluid and extraembryonic coelomic fluid in the first trimester of pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to measure erythropoietin levels in amniotic fluid and extraembryonic coelomic fluid from 7-12 weeks' gestation.

SUBJECTS

Twenty healthy women with ultrasonographically normal first trimester pregnancies prior to surgical termination.

METHODS

Paired samples of amniotic fluid and extraembryonic coelomic fluid were collected by transvaginal ultrasound guided needling. Erythropoietin was measured in both pregnancy fluids using a radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS

There was a highly significant difference between erythropoietin levels in extraembryonic coelomic fluid (median level 15.45 mU/ml; range 6.8-32.1 mU/ml) and those in amniotic fluid (median 5.0 mU/ml; range < 5.0-5.8 mU/ml) (P < 0.0001; Mann-Whitney U-test). The levels of erythropoietin in maternal serum (median 15.4 mU/ml; range 5.6-29.4 mU/ml) were similar to those in the extra-embryonic coelom (P = 0.81; Mann-Whitney U-test). No relation was demonstrated between erythropoietin levels in amniotic fluid or coelomic fluid and stage of gestation.

CONCLUSION

High levels of erythropoietin in coelomic fluid suggests that the hormone is involved in the process of human extraembryonic erythropoiesis. The exact regulatory role remains unknown.