We previously described significant changes in GH-binding protein (GHBP) in pathological human pregnancy. There was a substantial elevation of GHBP in cases of noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and a reduction in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. GHBP has the potential to modulate the proportion of free placental GH (PGH) and hence the impact on the maternal GH/insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) axis, fetal growth, and maternal glycemic status. The present study was undertaken to investigate the relationship among glycemia, GHBP, and PGH during pregnancy and to assess the impact of GHBP on the concentration of free PGH. We have extended the analysis of specimens to include measurements of GHBP, PGH, IGF-I, IGF-II, IGF-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1), IGFBP-2, and IGFBP-3 and have related these to maternal characteristics, fetal growth, and glycemia. The simultaneous measurement of GHBP and PGH has for the first time allowed calculation of the free component of PGH and correlation of the free component to indexes of fetal growth and other endocrine markers. PGH, free PGH, IGF-I, and IGF-II were substantially decreased in IUGR at 28 -30 weeks gestation (K28) and 36 -38 weeks gestation (K36). The mean concentration (ϮSEM) of total PGH increased significantly from K28 to K36 (30.0 Ϯ 2.2 to 50.7 Ϯ 6.2 ng/mL; n ϭ 40), as did the concentration of free PGH (23.4 Ϯ 2.3 to 43.7 Ϯ 6.0 ng/mL; n ϭ 38). The mean percentage of free PGH was significantly less in IUGR than in normal subjects (67% vs. 79%; P Ͻ 0.01). Macrosomia was associated with an increase in these parameters that did not reach statistical significance. Multiple regression analysis revealed that PGH/IGF-I and IGFBP-3 account for 40% of the variance in birth weight. IGFBP-3 showed a significant correlation with IGF-I, IGF-II, and free and total PGH at K28 and K36. Noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients had a lower mean percentage of free PGH (65%; P Ͻ 0.01), and insulin-dependent diabetics had a higher mean percentage of free PGH (87%; P Ͻ 0.01) than normal subjects. Mean postprandial glucose at K28 correlated positively with PGH and free PGH (consistent with the hyperglycemic action of GH). GHBP correlated negatively with both postprandial and fasting glucose. Although GHBP correlated negatively with PGH (r ϭ Ϫ0.52; P Ͻ .001), free PGH and total PGH correlated very closely (r ϭ 0.98). The results are consistent with an inhibitory function for GHBP in vivo and support a critical role for placental GH and IGF-I in driving normal fetal growth. (J Clin Endocrinol

Placental growth hormone (PGH) progressively replaces pituitary growth hormone in the maternal circulation from mid-gestation onwards in human pregnancy. Our previous investigations have shown that placental growth hormone concentrations correlate well with foetal growth. Despite the apparent correlation between PGH and birthweight, the physiology of its secretion during pregnancy has not been well defined. We investigated the response of maternal serum PGH to oral glucose loading in pregnant women (n = 24) who demonstrated normal glucose tolerance at a mean gestation of 29 weeks. Mean (SEM) fasting PGH concentrations were high (36.9 [6.4] ng/ml). No suppression of PGH was noted at one, two or three hours after a 75 g oral glucose load. Similarly, no changes were noted in growth hormone binding protein or in calculated free PGH over the course of the glucose tolerance test. As expected, insulin concentrations rose sixfold and insulin like growth factor binding protein 1 concentrations fell by 20 % with glucose loading. Correlation analysis showed maternal weight, BMI, fasting serum glucose serum insulin to be significantly correlated with the babies' birthweight. Our results support the proposition that PGH concentrations in maternal serum are not suppressed by oral glucose loading in non-diabetic mothers.