Immunohistochemistry of Follistatin Shows a Differential Expression Correlating With Differing Labour Groups in Women

Abstract

Follistatin has been isolated from human placenta and been identified in fetal membranes and fluids. Serum follistatin levels in women rise during pregnancy particularly near term. Previous work in our laboratory has shown plasma follistatin concentrations rise across labour in spontaneous labouring women, but not women undergoing an induction of labour. The placenta was proposed as a possible source of this follistatin, therefore the aim of this study was to examine placental tissues using immunohistochemistry for follistatin to determine if there was a difference in follistatin protein localization between groups.