Plasma Levels of Progesterone in Pregnancy Measured by a Rapid Competitive Protein Binding Technique

Abstract

Plasma levels of progesterone* were measured during normal human pregnancy by a sensitive and rapid competitive protein binding technique. During the first half of gestation 440 determinations in 321 women and in the second half of gestation, 209 determinations in 160 women were performed. The average plasma level of progesterone in the 5th week of gestation was 24.8 \ m=+-\7.3 (s) ng/ml which is above the normal range of the luteal plateau of the menstrual cycle (10\p=n-\20 ng/ml). Between the 5th and the 9th week of gestation the plasma concentration decreased significantly. * The following abbreviations and trivial names are used:Progesterone: pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione. 17a-hydroxyprogesterone: 17a-hydroxy-pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione. 20a-dihydroprogesterone: 20a-hydroxy-pregn-4-ene-3-one.Oestradiol: oestra-l,3,5(10)-triene-3,17/?-diol. Testosterone: 17/?-hydroxy-androst-4-en-3-one.HCG: human chorionic gonadotrophin. LH: luteinizing hormone.s: standard deviation, n: numbers of observations.

Evaluation of a Rapid Competitive Protein Binding Assay for Progesterone in Pregnancy and some of its Complications

“…The values of serum progesterone in this study are similar to the plasma values reported by Johansson using a similar method (Johansson, 1969), and are comparable to the values obtained by gas liquid chromatography (Yannone, 1968) and the double isotope derivative assay (Weist, 1967). The results also correspond to the findings of earlier workers who employed a chemical method (Short, 1958;Greig et al, 1962).…”

“…Several publications have described the assay of serum and plasma progesterone (Szarka, 1940;Short, 1958;Greig et al, 1962;Neil et al, 1967;Weist, 1967;Yannone, 1968;Johansson, 1969;Rubin et al, 1970;Murphy, 1971). Clinical and research applications for plasma progesterone determinations have been suggested (Johansson, 1969).…”

“…Clinical and research applications for plasma progesterone determinations have been suggested (Johansson, 1969). However, the methods described involved slow and laborious techniques.…”

First trimester volumetric measurements: relation with hormone levels and fetal heart rate

“…From the 9th to the 32nd week of gestation the plasma level of progesterone increased from 16.7 § 7.4 to 125.2 § 37.9 ng/ml. During the last 8 weeks [25].…”

Antagonist action of progesterone at σ-receptors in the modulation of voltage-gated sodium channels

“…Plasma progesterone concentrations in women range from 30 to 450 nM depending on reproductive state (26), and the actions reported here were observed with progesterone in this range. -Receptor ligands have profound effects on function in the brain as well as the heart (19,21,35).…”