Copper, iron, selenium and zinc are important trace elements during pregnancy. They function as antioxidants and play major roles in strengthening the immune system. This study evaluates the importance of these trace elements in the immune system and their concentrations during pregnancy. These trace elements were evaluated using 75 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki as Test participants and 75 non-pregnant women were used as control participants. The analysis was done using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The socio-demographic, Obstetrics and Gynaecological characteristics of the participants were obtained using questionnaire. A cross-sectional comparative study design was adopted for this. The results showed that the mean and standard deviation (M±SD) in mg / l of the test and control of trace elements (copper, iron, selenium and zinc) are; 0.13±0.03 and 0.38±0.03, 0.48±0.07 and 0.82±0.09, 0.86±0.11 and 0.94±0.07, 0.52±0.07 and 0.52±0.05 respectively. Also mean levels of Cu and Fe were significantly decreased in the pregnant women than in control (p=<0.001; 0.002) respectively. Nevertheless, there was no statistically significant differences between selenium and zinc levels in the pregnant women when compared to their controls (p=0.575; 0.982) respectively. Low concentration of iron is suggestive of iron deficiency and this study revealed 65.3% non-compliance to routine iron supplement given during antenatal. Trimester, age and parity appeared not to have any significant effect on the level of these trace elements. Hence, there is need to ensure the intake well-balanced meal to optimize copper levels during pregnancy.

Background: Macroprolactin is a heteropolymeric complex of monomeric prolactin and immunoglobulin G (IgG) with little or no biological activity in vivo. Macroprolactinaemia is a notable cause of misdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment of patients with biochemical hyperprolactinaemia. Hence, it needs to be excluded in all patients with laboratory-established increase in serum prolactin levels. The polyethylene-glycol (PEG) precipitation method is commonly used for the routine laboratory screening for macroprolactinaemia. Objective: To review the concept of macroprolactinaemia and its impact on the clinical manifestations, biochemical features, laboratory and radiological evaluations, and management of patients with hyperprolactinaemia. Method: Review of available literature and selected references on macroprolactinaemia and its contribution to the aetiology of biochemical hyperprolactinaemia. Conclusion: Macroprolactinaemia is diagnostically and clinically important in reproductive endocrinology practice. Routine laboratory screening of macroprolactinaemia using the PEG-precipitation method is highly recommended for all cases of hyperprolactinaemia.