Processing effects and storage conditions on A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease (ADAM12s), a maternal serum marker for adverse pregnancy outcome.

摘要

Prenatal screening for chromosomal abnormalities, especially trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) has become a part of routine obstetric care. Currently in the Netherlands, testing in the first trimester using the combined test is the test of choice (1). This combined test calculates the individual woman's risk for Down syndrome affected pregnancy based on maternal age, and serum levels of free beta-human chorionic gonado-trophin (free beta-hco and pregnancy associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), along with ultrasound measurement of fetal nuchal translucency. Maternal serum is collected between 9 and 14 weeks of pregnancy. Women with a screen-positive test result (cutoff 1:200) are offered an invasive diagnostic test, amniocentesis or chorion villus biopsy, to determine the fetal chromosomes. Invasive tests are associated with iatrogenic risk of miscarriage. Recently, the potential value of "A Disintegrin And Metallopro-tease" (ADAM12s) has been described as an indicator of fetal abnormalities. ADAM12s is the short and secreted splice form of ADAM and a placenta derived glycoprotein produced by trophoblast (2).