VD supplementation in VD-deficient women with PCOS significantly decreases the bioavailability of TGF-β1, which correlates with an improvement in some abnormal clinical parameters associated with PCOS. This is a novel mechanism that could explain the beneficial effects of VD supplementation in women with PCOS. These findings may support new treatment modalities for PCOS, such as the development of anti-TGF-β drugs.
Higher concentrations of AFP in vaginal blood than in maternal serum may indicate the presence of dissolved fetal tissue (i.e., confirming a failed pregnancy).
ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to compare position-related changes in fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) Doppler pulsatility indices (PI).MethodsA prospective study of 41 women with conditions associated with placental-pathology (chronic hypertension, pregestational diabetes, and abnormal analytes) and 34 women without those conditions was carried out. Fetal MCA Doppler velocity flow waveforms were obtained in maternal supine and left lateral decubitus positions. MCA PI Δ was calculated by subtracting the PI in the supine position from the PI in the left lateral position. Secondary outcomes included a composite of adverse perinatal outcomes (fetal growth restriction, oligohydramnios, and preeclampsia). χ2 and Student t-tests and repeated-measures analysis of variance were used.ResultsMCA PI Δ was significantly less for high-risk pregnant women ([P = 0.03]: high risk, left lateral PI, 1.90 ± 0.45 vs. supine PI, 1.88 ± 0.46 [Δ = 0.02]; low risk, left lateral PI, 1.90 ± 0.525 vs. supine PI, 1.68 ± 0.40 [Δ = 0.22]). MCA PI Δ was not significantly different between women who had a composite adverse outcome and women who did not have a composite adverse outcome (P = 0.843).ConclusionOur preliminary study highlights differences in position-related changes in fetal MCA PI between high-risk and low-risk pregnancies. These differences could reflect an attenuated ability of women with certain risk factors to respond to physiologic stress.
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