Simultaneous measurement of human prolactin and growth hormone levels in maternal and fetal serum and amniotic fluid.

Growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) in maternal and fetal serum and amniotic fluid were measured simultaneously by radioimmunoassay at term deliveries of 20 normal mothers. The PRL level of amniotic fluid was significantly higher than that of maternal and fetal serum. The fetal GH level was significantly higher than the maternal and amniotic levels of GH. There was no significant correlation among hormone levels of maternal and fetal sera and amniotic fluid. These data suggest that PRL and GH levels of maternal and fetal sera and amniotic fluid are controlled separately.