[Why do we observe a high concentration of CA125 in mother's serum during pregnancy?].

INTRODUCTION

CA125 was evaluated in a group of 100 pregnant women in the first trimester, at term and during puerperium to find out its main source at those stages.

OBJECTIVES

Findings were analysed against history and symptoms of an imminent abortion in the first trimester. In patients with a history of vaginal spotting or bleeding regardless of the time of their duration, serum levels of CA125 were significantly higher in those who miscarried later. No such relation was noticed in those presenting with other symptoms only (e.g. abdominal pain) where CA125 titres did not depend on the outcome of the present pregnancy.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

CA125 was evaluated in a group of 100 pregnant women at term to find out its main source in pregnancy. CA125 levels was evaluated with Roche Cobas Core CA125 II EIA.

RESULTS

In every study group patients with a history of previous miscarriages revealed significantly higher levels of serum CA125 regardless of a number of previous abortions. Mean value of CA125 in a 3rd stage of labour was significantly higher than in a 2nd day of puerperium, when it dropped to the levels similar to that of nonpregnant women. These values were significantly higher in women admitted to the hospital in the early pregnancy on an imminent abortion basis. In patients who had caesarean section CA125 levels were significantly lower in respective period of delivery and puerperium.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal serum CA125 levels did not depend on other maternal, placental nor foetal factors evaluated in the study.