engleski

Plasma Copper Concentrations in Pathological Pregnancies

Copper is an essential metal element required for the formation of many enzymes with important role in human body. During pregnancy the maternal serum copper concentration is increased due to the higher levels of ceruloplasmin that are the result of elevated oestrogen levels. The aim of this work was to analyse the maternal serum copper concentrations in relation to various pathological conditions during pregnancy. A total of 301 maternal serum samples were analysed: 103 taken from women in the first trimester, 73 in the second trimester and 99 in third trimester of pregnancy. Serum concentration of copper during each trimester of normal pregnancy was taken as a reference value. Group comparisons performed by ANOVA followed by Dunnett test indicated substantially lower serum concentrations of copper in pathological conditions diagnosed during the first trimester of pregnancy (spontaneous abortion, threatened abortion, missed abortion and blighted ovum). No significant difference in maternal serum blood copper concentrations were found in pathological conditions (threatened abortion, threatening preterm delivery and pyelonephritis) diagnosed in the second trimester of pregnancy. Significant difference in serum copper concentrations was found in the third trimester, while the Dunnett test indicated cholestasis group to be responsible for. Except in twin pregnancy, a tendency to higher serum copper concentrations, but not statistically significant, is observed in other pathological conditions during third trimester (gestosis, intrauterine growth retardation, preterm labour).

plasma copper; maternal blood; pathological pregnancy

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