Serum protein profile in normal pregnancy and in relation to parity.

Forty pregnant females of third trimester and their twenty non-pregnant controls were screened for Hb%, PCV and serum protein differentials in relation to parity. Paper electrophoresis method revealed significant rise in mean levels of serum alpha 1, alpha 2 and beta-globulins in pregnant females as compared to non-pregnant controls, which may be due to the rise in pregnancy-associated-proteins. Radial immunodiffusion method revealed rise in mean serum IgM level with increasing parity, whereas a decrease in mean serum IgG level was observed which might be due to the placental membrane-transfer and/or decreased IgG synthesis. Haematological investigations revealed decreased Hb% and PCV which may have been caused both due to increased demand of nutrients as well as by haemodilution, associated with water retention during pregnancy.