alpha 2-Macroglobulins, Pregnancy-Associated

Medical Condition:
alpha 2-Macroglobulins, Pregnancy-Associated

Glycoproteins with the electrophoretic mobility of an alpha 2-globulin. They are found in small amounts in normal human plasma but in much larger volume in the plasma of pregnant women. These proteins have also been found in increased amounts in individuals undergoing estrogen therapy and are sometimes produced ectopically by tumors of non-placental origin. Pregnancy zone proteins are believed to be of maternal rather than placental origin.