17Beta-hydroxysteroid: NAD (P)-oxydoreductase plasma enzyme-activity levels in threatened abortion, inevitable abortion and pregnancies complicated by diabetes mellitus.

Abstract

Changes in the enzyme-activity levels of the placental steroid enzyme, 17Β-hydroxysteroid:NAD(P)-oxydoreductase were examined in the plasma of women with normal and pathological pregnancies. The behaviour of the enzyme-activity levels in normal pregnancies did not differ from pregnancies complicated by temporary signs of threatened abortion. Imminent and recent inevitable abortions showed significantly <i>higher</i> and old-protracted inevitable abortions significantly <i>lower</i> enzyme levels than normal controls. It is concluded that the placental enzyme in the plasma of pregnant women could be of use in monitoring threatened abortion and distinguishing it from inevitable abortion. In pregnancies complicated by diabetes mellitus, there was increased antenatal incidence of pathological enzyme levels above and below the normal 95 percent tolerance limits in poorly controlled cases, heavy babies, heavy placentas, hydramnion and fetal distress.