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SECRETION PATTERNS OF PLASMA‐PROGESTERONE, 17‐HYDROXYPROGESTERONE AND 20 α HYDROXYPREGN‐4‐EN‐3‐ONE IN EARLY NORMAL PREGNANCY
Author(s) -
Harrison R. F.,
Youssefnejadian E.,
Brodovcky Hilary,
Johnson M.,
Dewhurst Sir John
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1978.tb15854.x
Subject(s) - hydroxyprogesterone , pregnancy , medicine , hormone , endocrinology , abortion , secretion , obstetrics , biology , steroid , genetics
Summary Plasma levels of progesterone, 17‐hydroxyprogesterone and 20 α hydroxypregn‐4‐en‐3‐one were established from 4 to 16 weeks gestation by sampling 15 normal patients twice weekly. Apart from a peak at week 5, the mean levels of progesterone remained constant at about 24 ng/ml until week 10 and then rose progressively to 40 ng/ml at week 16.20 α hydroxypregn‐4‐en‐3‐one remained within the 7 to 9 ng/ml range apart from a peak at week 5. A significant decrease in mean levels of 17‐hydroxy‐progresterone was noted from week 5 to a nadir of 3 ng/ml at week 11. It would appear that the main hormone production of progesterones in pregnancy has been taken over by the placental unit by the 10th week.