Growth Hormone Levels in Maternal and Cord Blood

Abstract

Significant differences in the concentration of growth hormone in umbilical arterial, umbilical venous and maternal venous sera at the time of delivery have been demonstrated, utilizing a modified hemagglutination inhibition immunoassay. Higher concentrations of growth hormone in the umbilical arteries than in umbilical and maternal venous blood indicate that the fetal anterior pituitary is an actively functioning endocrine organ.