Presence of CRH-binding protein in amniotic fluid and in umbilical cord plasma

Abstract

CRH-binding protein was present in the amniotic fluid and in the umbilical cord plasma after 15 weeks and 24 weeks of pregnancy, respectively. The size of the CRH-binding protein was similar to that in the peripheral blood from normal subjects. The level of the binding of CRH-binding protein in the umbilical cord plasma during the third trimester of pregnancy was also similar to that in the peripheral blood of neonates and normal adult subjects. The binding of CRH-binding protein was temporarily decreased at 40 weeks of pregnancy. These results indicate that fetal CRH-binding protein seems to be produced at least in the second trimester of pregnancy.