Maternal plasma and amniotic fluid 17?-estradiol, progesterone and cortisol concentrations in women with successfully and unsuccessfully treated preterm labor

Abstract

Maternal plasma and amniotic fluid (AF) were obtained for measurement of 17 beta-estradiol, progesterone and cortisol concentrations from 40 patients with preterm labor and intact membranes at 28-32 weeks of gestation: 20 delivered preterm and the remaining 20 patients responded to tocolytic treatment and delivered at term. Maternal plasma and AF concentrations of these hormones were measured with specific commercially available radioimmunoassay kits. Maternal plasma and AF 17 beta-estradiol concentrations were significantly higher in women who delivered preterm than in those who delivered at term, 8.0 ng/ml vs 3.5 ng/ml and 0.85 ng/ml vs. 0.6 ng/ml, respectively. No significant differences were found between groups in maternal plasma and AF progesterone concentrations. Maternal plasma cortisol concentrations were higher in the preterm delivery group than in the term group (235 ng/ml vs. 55 ng/ml, respectively). No significant differences were found in AF cortisol concentrations between groups.

Are Maternal Cortisol Levels Related to Preterm Birth?

“…The sample collection took place between 6 weeks gestation and the end of the pregnancy. Some researchers used repeated samples for data collection throughout the women's pregnancies (Erickson et al, 2001; Hobel et al, 1999; Korebrits et al, 1998; McCool et al, 1994; Phocas et al, 1990; Ruiz et al, 2001; Sandman et al, 2006), whereas others collected data one time during the women's pregnancies (Field et al, 2004, 2006; Mazor et al, 1994, 1996; Mercer et al, 2006). Eight studies (53%) reported the time of day that the sample collection was obtained.…”

“…The majority of the studies suggested that maternal cortisol levels were positively related to preterm birth (Tables 1 and 2). Compared with women who gave birth full term, women who gave birth preterm had higher levels of cortisol (Erickson et al, 2001; Field et al, 2004, 2006; Hobel et al, 1999; Korebrits et al, 1998; Mazor et al, 1994, 1996; Mercer et al, 2006; Phocas et al, 1990; Sandman et al, 2006). However, the gestational age at the time of data collection seemed to influence the results.…”

“…However, the anticipation of venipuncture for an extended period of time before the sampling may influence cortisol results. Mazor et al (1996) collected maternal blood immediately after amniotic fluid collection. The stress of having an amniocentesis may have increased the cortisol levels and influenced the results; however, Mazor et al reported that all of the women underwent the same procedures.…”

Plasma progesterone, estradiol, and unconjugated estriol concentrations in twin pregnancies: Relation with cervical length and preterm delivery

“…2 In 1974 Csapo et al 3 found lower serum progesterone concentrations in 11 women with preterm labor than in 12 women with term labor. [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] Recent studies have found low saliva progesterone concentrations in women with preterm labor 13 and preterm delivery. [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] Recent studies have found low saliva progesterone concentrations in women with preterm labor 13 and preterm delivery.…”

“…[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] Recent studies have found low saliva progesterone concentrations in women with preterm labor 13 and preterm delivery. 3,6,9,11 Progesterone, estradiol, and estriol in relation to preterm delivery have mainly been investigated in singleton pregnancies 3,4,6,7,[9][10][11][12][13][14] and few results have been published from multiple pregnancies. 3,6,9,11 Progesterone, estradiol, and estriol in relation to preterm delivery have mainly been investigated in singleton pregnancies 3,4,6,7,[9][10][11][12][13][14] and few results have been published from multiple pregnancies.…”