Unconjugated Estradiol-17 Beta Research Articles

Failure of exogenous progestogens to block dexamethasone-induced prostaglandin F release from the uterus of the late-pregnant cow.

The effect of exogenous progesterone or megestrol acetate (MGA) on cervical extensibility and on the concentrations of prostaglandin (PG) F in utero-ovarian plasma and progesterone, estrone sulphate and unconjugated estradiol-17 beta concentrations in jugular plasma was studied over Days 238-242 in pregnant cows given intrafetal infusions of dexamethasone to induce premature delivery. All 11 cows used in the study were given continuous intrafetal infusions of dexamethasone at a rate of 3.3 mg/day to induce premature labor. Progesterone was infused continuously at a rate of 400 mg/day for 10 day into the jugular vein of 3 of 11 cows while another 3 were given MGA at a rate of 20 mg/day. In the cows given dexamethasone alone premature parturition was induced in 2.5-4.5 days and all calves were born alive and well. However, in the progestogen-treated cows, dexamethasone failed to induce premature delivery. The cervix of these cows remained firm and unyielding during the time of the progesterone infusion. Following the withdrawal of exogenous progestogens the cervix became soft and compliant and the cows delivered within 0.5-1.5 days, but only 2 of the 6 calves were alive at birth. Hormone changes in the cows given intrafetal infusions of dexamethasone included a marked rise in utero-ovarian PGF and a concomitant decline in jugular progesterone concentrations. Plasma concentrations of estrone sulphate and estradiol-17 beta showed a small increase before delivery. An increase in utero-ovarian PGF concentrations was also observed in all of the progestogen-treated cows, although there was considerable individual variation in the timing of the PGF surge. The plasma concentrations of estrone sulphate and unconjugated estradiol-17 beta levels in the progestogen-treated cows showed the same general trend, with the levels increasing within 1-2 days of starting the dexamethasone infusion and then falling before delivery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Plasma hormone profile of threatened abortion and its prognosis.

Hormone levels in patients with threatened abortion were compared with those of women with normal pregnancies to determine the relationship between these hormone patterns and patient prognoses. Plasma progesterone, plasma unconjugated estradiol-17beta (estradiol), and plasma human chorionic somato-mammotropin (HCS) were measured serially in 27 patients with threatened abortion. Twelve of these patients were able to continue their pregnancies, and 15 patients aborted. Of the 3 indices tested, 2 (plasma estradiol and HCS levels) showed marked differences in women who were able to continue their pregnancies and women whose pregnancies ended in abortions; moreover, these findings indicated that these 2 levels could be used as indices for the evaluation of a pregnant patient's prognosis.

Plasma estradiol-17 beta as an index of fetoplacental function.

Serial plasma unconjugated estradiol-17 beta was measured by a radioimmunoassay method in 26 cases of hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, 13 cases of poor obstetric history and 4 cases of intra-uterine growth retardation. There was considerable overlap of hormonal values between pregnancies, resulting in delivery of normal fetuses and those with dysmature fetuses. Serial estimation of estradiol-17 beta were not found to be useful in the prediction of intra-uterine death, although low values were obtained after fetal death has occurred. Estradiol-17 beta estimation appeared to be an unreliable index of fetoplacental function.