Plasma Levels of Progesterone and Cortisol, and Urinary Pregnanediol Excretion, During the Post-Ovulatory Phase of the Cycle in Normal and Ergocornine-Treated Women

Abstract

The plasma level of progesterone in 30 clinically normal women on the estimated 5th to 7th day after ovulation, determined by combined paperand gas-chromatography, was 1.39 μg/100 ml ± 0.14 S. E. The response of eight women to a single oral administration of 2 mg ergocornine methanesulphonate on the estimated 5th, 6th or 7th day after ovulation was examined, in order to evaluate the suggestion that this drug depresses the secretion of steroid hormones by inhibiting 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Plasma progesterone level (μg/100 ml ± S. E,) 5½ h after administration of the drug (0.91 ± 0.15) did not differ significantly from that before treatment (1.0 ± 0.18) or in placebo-treated controls (1.25 ± 0.16 and 1.15 ± 0.14, respectively). Urinary pregnanediol excretion (mg) was similar during the 24 h-period immediately preceding treatment (1.7 ± 0.34) and following it (1.6 ±0.19). The plasma corticoid (11β-hydroxy-Δ4-3-ketosteroid) level was reduced by 27.3% ±6.1 S. E. 5½ h after ergocornine administration, but this decline was paralleled by a similar fall (–24.5%) in placebo-treated controls. The results thus provided no evidence for the induction of luteal insufficiency or a specific enzyme block by the alkaloid. The difference from results obtained in rats may be due to species characteristics or dose rate.

Influence of ergot alkaloids on pituitary prolactin and prolactin‐dependent processes

“…The results of these studies (168)(169)(170) were, however, in accord with the emerging view that the action of the alkaloid was in some way mediated by the pituitary. While Shelesnyak's early results seemed to rule out the pituitary as being involved in the effect of ergot alkaloids on ova implantation (162), a study by Zeilmaker and Carlsen (18) specifically pointed to this possibility.…”

“…Finally, an extended reinvestigation measuring the plasma and urinary levels of a number of steroids in normal and ergocornine-treated women failed to reproduce the dramatic decreases in urinary pregnanediol levels observed earlier and provided no evidence for a specific blockade of the A5-3/?-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase system (170). The results of these studies (168)(169)(170) were, however, in accord with the emerging view that the action of the alkaloid was in some way mediated by the pituitary.…”

“…However, a more recent investigation in sows reported that doses of 125-250 mg. of ergocornine can terminate pseudopregnancy in swine with regression of the corpora lutea and reappearance of estrus (197). The limited studies in women (164,165,170,198,199) have so far not produced entirely conclusive results. All the studies agree that ergocornine has no effect on the basal body temperature curve.…”

Competitive Protein-Binding Assay of Progesterone in Bovine Jugular Venous Plasma During the Oestrous Cycle

“…Method 1 {paper-and gas-liquid-chrornatography) This method consisted of extraction of the plasma sample (80 ml) as described by Lindner, Lunenfeld & Shelesnyak (1967) and determination of progesterone in these extracts by sequential paper-and gas-liquid-chromatography (PC/ GLC), using a hydrogen-flame detector (Lindner & Zmigrod, 1967). A radioactive internal recovery standard was used to compensate for losses in¬ curred during analysis.…”

Early Effect of Conceptus on Plasma Progesterone Level in the Cow

“…The blood (about 150 ml) was drawn into vessels containing sodium citrate and cooled rapidly to 4\ s=deg\ C. The plasma was separated by centrifugation at 4\ s=deg\ C and stored at \p=m-\18\s=deg\C until analysis, performed usually within 2 weeks. Plasma samples (80 ml) were extracted as described by Lindner, Lunenfeld & Shelesnyak (1967), and the concentration of progesterone in these extracts was determined by the method of Lindner & Zmigrod (1967), which is based on sequential paper-and gas-chromatography with a hydrogen-flame detector, and use of a radio-active internal recovery standard.…”