Angiogenic growth factors in maternal and fetal serum in concordant and discordant twin pregnancies

Autores de IIS La Fe

• Nerea Ruiz Sacedon

  Autor

• Alfredo Perales Puchalt

  Autor

• María Dolores Borrás Suñer

  Autor

• Alfredo José Perales Marín

  Autor

Participantes ajenos a IIS La Fe

• Gómez R

Grupos

• Medicina Fetal y Reproductiva

Abstract

Objective: To assess soluble fms-like tyrosin kinase 1 (sFlt-1), free vascular endothelial growth factor (f-VEGF) and the f-VEGF/sFlt-1 quotient in twin pregnancies, and to determine if they are impaired in discordant twins. Methods: Case-control study between 18 discordant and 46 concordant twin pregnancies. Angiogenic growth factors were measured in maternal serum during pregnancy and in umbilical artery and vein at birth. Results: Discordant twins were more often conceived by assisted reproductive techniques than concordant twins. Maternal plasma f-VEGF was significantly lower in discordant twins (p = 0.04). F-VEGF and f-VEGF/sFlt-1 in the whole sample show a significant higher level in concordant twins. When we analyzed umbilical cord angiogenic factors, the smaller twin had a lower f-VEGF/sFlt-1 quotient (p = 0.01). We found no correlations between maternal or umbilical growth factors and placental or fetal weight. No difference was found in veno-arterial levels of angiogenic factors in each twin; however, there was a significant rise in arterial f-VEGF (p = 0.06) in discordant twins. Conclusion: Mothers of discordant twins have a more anti-angiogenic environment compared to those of concordant twins. We also found an anti-angiogenic environment in the small twin when we compared umbilical vein angiogenic factors against its big co-twin.

Keywords

• Angiogenesis; hypoxia; sFlt-1; twin pregnancy; VEGF