Alterations of Red Blood Cells’ Polyamines during Pregnancy and Neonatal Period

Abstract

Red blood cell polyamines were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. Spermidine and spermine continued to increase with pregnancy and retained a high level during 24–35 weeks of gestation, then decreased at term; putrescine, however, kept the low nonpregnant level during pregnancy and puerperium. At delivery, umbilical blood showed a significantly higher polyamine level than maternal blood (p < 0.005 or p < 0.001). In the neonatal period, each polyamine showed a slight increase on the 1st day after birth, then spermidine and spermine decreased day by day, but putrescine kept the same level. Alterations of polyamines seemed to have some relation to the erythropoiesis in bone marrow and rapid cell proliferations.

Plasma polyamines during pregnancy and their relationships with maternal allergies and the immune response of the neonates

“…Other investigators also reported higher concentrations of circulating spermidine and spermine in plasma and/or red blood cells, including pregnant women and newborns, and human breast milk compared to putrescine. 6,15 In contrast, others showed higher concentrations of putrescine than the other polyamines in plasma of healthy adults and plasma of patients with different diseases. 16,17 These discrepancies can be explained by different activities of enzymes that control the synthesis and conversion of polyamines, dietary intake, or different microbiota production.…”

“…Moreover, we found higher levels of polyamines in umbilical cord (vein and artery) than in maternal plasma at delivery, which agrees with previous studies. 6 Lower levels of all polyamines in cord vein relative to arterial blood might be possible since amino acids, but not proteins, can cross placental tissue. Thus, the higher bioavailability of free amino acids could be used for polyamine synthesis by the fetal tissues.…”

“…Polyamine concentration in the plasma of pregnant women are higher than in non‐pregnant women 5 . Spermidine and spermine concentrations increased during pregnancy and retained their higher levels at 24–35 weeks of gestation, decreasing slowly until term 6 . Moreover, at delivery, the concentration of polyamines in the umbilical artery and vein is higher than those observed in the mother 6 .…”

“…6 Moreover, at delivery, the concentration of polyamines in the umbilical artery and vein is higher than those observed in the mother. 6 Nevertheless, there is little evidence of plasma polyamine effects during pregnancy.…”

“…5 Spermidine and spermine concentrations increased during pregnancy and retained their higher levels at 24-35 weeks of gestation, decreasing slowly until term. 6 Moreover, at delivery, the concentration of polyamines in the umbilical artery and vein is higher than those observed in the mother. 6 Nevertheless, there is little evidence of plasma polyamine effects during pregnancy.…”