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Copper to Ceruloplasmin Ratio During Normal Pregnancy In Osogbo, Nigeria.
Abstract
Disordered copper and ceruloplasmin levels have been associated in pathologic pregnancies, however, investigation of copper status especially the determination of free copper which is the physiologically active fraction has been met with some difficulties. In this regard, the determination of
copper/ceruloplasmin ratio has been proposed as one of the better indicators of copper status in pregnancy. Since copper/ceruloplasmin ratio varies from region to region, it has been advocated that each region
determines its own cut-off. We therefore determined copper/ceruloplasmin ratio during normal pregnancy in Osogbo, SouthWestern Nigeria.
150 consenting pregnant women attending the antenatal Clinic of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital in different stages of
gestation were recruited. Another 35 non pregnant age matched mothers were recruited as controls. 5 mls of venous blood was obtained from
subjects and controls for the determination of serum copper with the aid of atomic absorption spectrophotometer and serum ceruloplasmin
determined with a method based on its p- Phenylene Diamine Oxidase Activity according to the colourimetric method of Sunderman and Nomoto
Copper in the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy increases steadily and significantly compared with non pregnant subjects (36.72±3.75,46.88±0.02 and 58.13±2.50vs14.43±4.50ìmol/l,
p<0.001 respectively). The rise in copper from first to second trimester and from second to third trimester was significant p< 0.001 respectively. Average copper concentration in the total pregnant population is
significantly elevated above non pregnant controls, 47.21±8.88ìmol/l vs. 14.43±4.50ìmol/l p<0.001 Ceruloplasmin levels in the first, second and
third trimesters increased significantly from each trimester and were significantly elevated above that of c o n t r o l s ( 4 9 . 5 6 ± 5 . 1 4 , 7 1 . 7 7 ± 7 . 0 7 a n d 90.70±2.77mg/100ml vs. 35.62±2.55mg/100ml,
p<0.001 respectively). Ceruloplasmin concentration in the total pregnant population is significantly elevated above cont rols, 70.78±16.91mg/100ml vs. 35.62±2.55mg/100ml, p<0.001. Copper/ceruloplasmin ratio in the first
trimester is significantly higher than in second and third trimesters while copper/ceruloplasmin ratios during second and third trimesters were similar. However, copper/ceruloplasmin ratio during first, second and
third trimesters are significantly higher than in controls, 0.074 ìmol/g, 0.065 ìmol/g and 0.064 ìmol/g vs. 0.041 ìmol/g. Average copper/ceruloplasmin ratio in the total pregnant population was significantly higher than in controls 0.067 ìmol/g vs. 0.041 ìmol/g.
Copper/ceruloplasmin ratio is highest during the first trimester and gradually decreases as pregnancy advances, this decrease may imply a decrease in available free copper to the fetus. Therefore a molecule
of ceruloplasmin containing less than 0.064 ìmol/g of copper may suggest excess product ion of ceruloplasmin in relation to available copper which has been associated with pathologic pregnancies especially pre-eclampsia and eclampsia.
copper/ceruloplasmin ratio has been proposed as one of the better indicators of copper status in pregnancy. Since copper/ceruloplasmin ratio varies from region to region, it has been advocated that each region
determines its own cut-off. We therefore determined copper/ceruloplasmin ratio during normal pregnancy in Osogbo, SouthWestern Nigeria.
150 consenting pregnant women attending the antenatal Clinic of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital in different stages of
gestation were recruited. Another 35 non pregnant age matched mothers were recruited as controls. 5 mls of venous blood was obtained from
subjects and controls for the determination of serum copper with the aid of atomic absorption spectrophotometer and serum ceruloplasmin
determined with a method based on its p- Phenylene Diamine Oxidase Activity according to the colourimetric method of Sunderman and Nomoto
Copper in the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy increases steadily and significantly compared with non pregnant subjects (36.72±3.75,46.88±0.02 and 58.13±2.50vs14.43±4.50ìmol/l,
p<0.001 respectively). The rise in copper from first to second trimester and from second to third trimester was significant p< 0.001 respectively. Average copper concentration in the total pregnant population is
significantly elevated above non pregnant controls, 47.21±8.88ìmol/l vs. 14.43±4.50ìmol/l p<0.001 Ceruloplasmin levels in the first, second and
third trimesters increased significantly from each trimester and were significantly elevated above that of c o n t r o l s ( 4 9 . 5 6 ± 5 . 1 4 , 7 1 . 7 7 ± 7 . 0 7 a n d 90.70±2.77mg/100ml vs. 35.62±2.55mg/100ml,
p<0.001 respectively). Ceruloplasmin concentration in the total pregnant population is significantly elevated above cont rols, 70.78±16.91mg/100ml vs. 35.62±2.55mg/100ml, p<0.001. Copper/ceruloplasmin ratio in the first
trimester is significantly higher than in second and third trimesters while copper/ceruloplasmin ratios during second and third trimesters were similar. However, copper/ceruloplasmin ratio during first, second and
third trimesters are significantly higher than in controls, 0.074 ìmol/g, 0.065 ìmol/g and 0.064 ìmol/g vs. 0.041 ìmol/g. Average copper/ceruloplasmin ratio in the total pregnant population was significantly higher than in controls 0.067 ìmol/g vs. 0.041 ìmol/g.
Copper/ceruloplasmin ratio is highest during the first trimester and gradually decreases as pregnancy advances, this decrease may imply a decrease in available free copper to the fetus. Therefore a molecule
of ceruloplasmin containing less than 0.064 ìmol/g of copper may suggest excess product ion of ceruloplasmin in relation to available copper which has been associated with pathologic pregnancies especially pre-eclampsia and eclampsia.
