Effect of encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus on murine foetal and placental growth monitored by quantification of maternal plasma levels of pregnancy-associated murine protein-2 and alpha-fetoprotein.

The present study demonstrates that pregnant mice seem to be more sensitive to encephalomyocarditis (EMC) infection than non-pregnant mice, and the infection results in significantly increased maternal plasma levels of insulin and pregnancy-associated murine protein-2 (PAMP-2), of placental origin, and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), of foetal origin. Maternal plasma levels of PAMP-2 and AFP are correlated with placental and foetal growth respectively. This indicates that the EMC infection and the increased peripheral insulin levels lead to increased growth of the foetoplacental unit.