Serum protein profile in Nigerian women: an analysis by gestation age

The effects of pregnancy and advancing gestation on serum proteins pattern of Nigerian women, living in Ikirun, south western Nigeria were examined in sixty6six (66) apparently normal pregnant women. Twenty6five (25) apparently normal non6pregnant (age matched) women were also concurrently studied as controls. The mean total serum proteins and serum albumin concentration of the controls were 70.5 ± 3.3 mg/ml and 40.8 ± 4.0 mg/ml; respectively. Total serum proteins and serum albumin concentrations decreased significantly and progressively as gestation advanced to the lowest level of 58.2 ± 2.7 mg/ml and 29.2 ± 3.7 mg/ml (p < 0.001); respectively at 33636 th week of gestation. The total serum globulins concentration remained statistically unchanged throughout the gestation period but for a significant increase to a level of 32.1 ± 1.6 mg/ml (p = 0.025) at 21624 weeks of gestation. Serum protein electrophoresis pattern showed no significant abnormality but for an elevated α26globulin band at 21624 th week of gestation and did not closely reflect changes observed in the absolute concentrations of serum albumin. The relatively stable total serum globulins (TSG) concentration in the face of normal gestational haemodilution suggested increased TSG mass during normal pregnancy. (Adedeji AL, Adedosu OT, Afolabi OK, Badmus JA, Ehigie LO, Fatoki JO and Adelusi TI. Serum protein profile in Nigerian women: an analysis by gestation age. Researcher 2012;4(11):38642) (ISSN: 155369865). http://www.sciencepub.net/researcher. 4