Serum levels of CA 125 during the first trimester of normal outcome, ectopic and anembryonic pregnancies

• Published in: Human reproduction (Oxford) 1990-01, Vol.5 (1), p.116-122
• Main Authors: Jacobs, I.J., Fay, T.N., Yovich, J., Frost, C., Turner, J., Oram, D.H., Grudzinskas, J.G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate - analysis; CA 125; Chorionic Gonadotropin - blood; Female; Humans; pregnancy; Pregnancy - immunology; Pregnancy Trimester, First; Pregnancy, Ectopic - immunology; Radioimmunoassay; Retrospective Studies
• ISSN: 0268-1161; 1460-2350
• DOI: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.humrep.a137030

Single serum samples were obtained during the first trimester of pregnancies with a retrospectively normal outcome (n = 150), ectopic pregnancies (n = 38) and anembryonic pregnancies (n = 78). Serial samples during the first trimester were also obtained from 43 women achieving pregnancy following successful treatment for infertility and with a retrospectively defined normal outcome. Significant variation in serum CA 125 levels in relation to gestational age was observed in pregnancies with a normal outcome (P > 0.0001). Peak serum CA 125 levels were observed at 6−7 weeks, the mean level at this gestation being 40.1 U/ml (range 31.7-50.7 U/ml) in the normal conception/normal outcome group and 36.5 U/ml (range 25.6-52.0 U/ml) in the assisted conception/normal outcome group. A rise and fall in serum CA 125 levels during the first trimester was observed in 42 of 43 assisted conceptions monitored serially, with peak levels ranging from 7 to 1398 U/ml (median 48.8 U/ml) occurring at 28−61 days (median 45 days) gestation. Mean serum CA 125 levels were higher in the anembryonic pregnancy group at 4−5 and 6−7 weeks gestation than in both normal pregnancy outcome groups (P > 0.01).