Taro Morimoto

Prenatal DNA diagnosis of a single-gene disorder from maternal plasma.

Achondroplasia is a short-limb disorder caused by a point mutation in a single gene. To diagnose such a disorder prenatally requires the use of invasive procedures such as amniocentesis. However, using PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, we were able to detect the mutation in the plasma of a woman carrying a fetus suspected of having achondroplasia. The detection of a fetus-derived mutant gene from maternal plasma may therefore permit non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of single-gene disorders.

Detection of umbilical venous constriction by Doppler flow measurement at midgestation

To investigate whether umbilical venous velocity and venous velocity pulsation are associated with umbilical vein diameter, umbilical ring diameter and umbilical cord coiling index at midgestation.

Clinical predictive factors for preterm birth in women with threatened preterm labour or preterm premature ruptured membranes

Background: Independent predictive factors of preterm delivery were evaluated using clinical data at hospitalisation by multivariate analysis.

A Study of γ-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) in Amniotic Fluid

Objective: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the role of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter, in amniotic fluid (AF) during fetal distress, because it has been reported that several neurotransmitters, e.g. norepinephrine, are affected by GABA.

A study of monoamine oxidase activity in fetal membranes

Objective. To study the role of decidual monoamine oxidase (MAO) ‐A and ‐B activities before delivery, the relationship between MAO activity in fetal membranes and catecholamine (CA) concentration in amniotic fluid (AF) was determined.