Lactoferrin in human amniotic fluid

The concentration of human lactoferrin (LF) was measured byradioimmunoassay or non-competitive avidin-biotin assay in amnioticfluid, cord blood and in the decidua, trophoblast, fetal membranesand umbilical cord. Amniotic fluid was obtained by amniocentesis,and cord blood and tissue samples were taken after deliveryor elective Caesarean section. No detectable concentration ofLF was found in amniotic fluid before week 20 of pregnancy.A significant increase in the LF concentration was observedaround week 30 and it remained high until term. In cord blood,an undetectable or low concentration of LF was measured. Intissue specimens the amount of LF was highest in the decidua(9–95µ/g a moderate concentration was assayed inthe amniotic, (2–37µg/g) and chorion (2–26µg/g) membrane and in the trophoblast (5–35 µg/g).In the umbilical cord, the concentration was > 1µg/g.These results suggest a decidual origin of LF. The role of LFduring pregnancy is discussed