Monomeric calcitonin in pregnant women and in cord blood.

Abstract

To determine whether monomeric calcitonin levels are increased during pregnancy. Monomeric calcitonin was measured by immunoradiometric assay in maternal blood during pregnancy (n = 50) as well as in paired maternal and umbilical venous and arterial blood (n = 18) collected at term deliveries. Maternal monomeric calcitonin levels were not increased during pregnancy and puerperium compared with levels in nonpregnant women (power = .8). There was no significant difference between umbilical venous and arterial monomeric calcitonin levels (mean [+/- standard deviation] 18.56 +/- 8.37 versus 18.74 +/- 10.46 ng/L, respectively). Cord blood levels were much higher than were maternal blood levels (2.57 +/- 1.93 ng/L). Maternal monomeric calcitonin levels were not increased during pregnancy and puerperium compared to nonpregnant women, whereas cord blood levels were much higher than maternal blood levels.