Chromogranin A: its known and possible roles in obstetrics and gynecology.

Chromogranin A (CgA) is a prohormone initially extracted from the adrenal medulla, however, increased quantities of CgA are secreted by a wide array of human tissues in the course of a variety of disorders. This protein exhibits a number of interesting endocrine and non-endocrine functions. Here we briefly review the possible involvements of CgA in the areas covered by obstetrics and gynecology. Our account indicates the need to verify its association with the intrapartum fetal stress, and the involvement of CgA in the pathomechanisms of obstetric disorders related to placental dysfunction, as well as in the pathogenesis of endometrioid endometrial cancer as a hormonally regulated malignancy.