PROPRANOLOL-BLOCKADE OF VASOPRESSIN INDUCED INCREASE IN PLASMA PROGESTERONE IN EARLY HUMAN PREGNANCY

ABSTRACT Following continuous dilation of the uterine cervix or intravenous infusion of vasopressin during the first trimester of human pregnancy, a marked increase in the peripheral plasma progesterone levels was observed. This effect was blocked by simultaneous administration of propranolol (Inderal®), a β-blocking agent. It is suggested that both these stimulating and inhibiting effects might be related to 3′, 5′-adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP). The results indicate the existence of β-receptors in steroid producing tissues.

Download Full-text

DEXAMETHASONE OR PROPRANOLOL BLOCKADE OF INDUCED INCREASE IN PLASMA PROGESTERONE IN EARLY HUMAN PREGNANCY

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/acta.0.0720569 ◽

1973 ◽

Vol 72 (3) ◽

pp. 569-572 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Petter Fylling

Keyword(s):

Adrenergic Receptor ◽

First Trimester ◽

Inhibitory Effect ◽

The Other ◽

Simultaneous Administration ◽

Plasma Progesterone ◽

Human Pregnancy ◽

Peripheral Plasma ◽

Receptor Sites ◽

Early Human

ABSTRACT Following continuous intravenous infusion of vasopressin or theophyllamine during the first trimester of human pregnancy, a marked increase in the peripheral plasma progesterone levels was observed. By simultaneous administration of propranolol the vasopressin effect was blocked, but not that of theophyllamine. When dexamethasone was infused, the incremental response of both vasopressin and theophyllamine was blocked or reduced. The present results may indicate that propranolol exerts its inhibitory effect on the steroidogenesis at the β-adrenergic receptor sites. Dexamethasone, on the other hand, seems to act distal to the β-receptors probably by direct interference with steroidogenesis.

Download Full-text

DEXAMETHASONE-BLOCKADE OF INCREMENTAL RESPONSE OF PLASMA PROGESTERONE TO CERVICAL DILATION OR VASOPRESSIN INFUSION IN EARLY HUMAN PREGNANCY

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/acta.0.0690602 ◽

1972 ◽

Vol 69 (4) ◽

pp. 602-607 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Petter Fylling

Keyword(s):

Uterine Cervix ◽

Intramuscular Injection ◽

Oral Treatment ◽

First Trimester ◽

Depressant Effect ◽

Dexamethasone Treatment ◽

Cervical Dilation ◽

Plasma Progesterone ◽

Peripheral Plasma ◽

Early Human

ABSTRACT The effect of dexamethasone on the peripheral plasma levels of progesterone was investgated in pregnant women during the first trimester. Neither oral treatment (2.5 mg × 4 for two days) nor intramuscular injection (24–64 mg) had any depressant effect in otherwise untreated women. The incremental response in the plasma progesterone levels consistently seen in women subjected to continuous dilation of the uterine cervix or vasopressin infusions, was markedly reduced by dexamethasone treatment.

Download Full-text

VASOPRESSIN-INDUCED INCREASE IN PERIPHERAL PLASMA PROGESTERONE LEVELS DURING EARLY HUMAN PREGNANCY

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/acta.0.0660273 ◽

1971 ◽

Vol 66 (2) ◽

pp. 273-282 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Petter Fylling

Keyword(s):

Adenosine Monophosphate ◽

First Trimester ◽

Progesterone Level ◽

Control Group ◽

Moderate Increase ◽

Slight Effect ◽

Plasma Progesterone ◽

Peripheral Plasma ◽

Dose Dependent ◽

Early Human

ABSTRACT Vasopressin, adrenaline and theophyllamine infusions administered to pregnant women in the first trimester had a marked stimulating effect on the progesterone* level of peripheral plasma. The effect was dose-dependent within the range tested, and the vasopressin effect was potentiated when theophyllamine was added to the infusion medium. Vasopressin infusion, however, had no effect on the human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) level in peripheral blood. Oxytocin had only a slight effect on the progesterone levels as compared with a control group receiving only saline infusion. 3′,5′-adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP) infusion given over a period of 40 minutes (0.4 mg/kg/min) to one pregnant woman resulted in a moderate increase in the progesterone level.

Download Full-text

PROGESTERONE AND HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN (HCG) LEVELS IN PLASMA DURING DILATION OF THE UTERINE CERVIX IN EARLY HUMAN PREGNANCY

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/acta.0.0650293 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 65 (2) ◽

pp. 293-301 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Petter Fylling ◽

Nils Norman

Keyword(s):

Plasma Level ◽

Uterine Cervix ◽

First Trimester ◽

Chorionic Gonadotrophin ◽

Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin ◽

Control Group ◽

Human Pregnancy ◽

Medial Side ◽

The Mean ◽

Early Human

ABSTRACT Dilation of the uterine cervix for 16 hours as a preliminary to the induction of legal abortion during the first trimester of human pregnancy resulted in a marked increase in the plasma level of both progesterone and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG). In a control group (with the dilating instrument taped on the medial side of the upper thigh) no increase in progesterone occurred. The increase in the plasma level of HCG was more pronounced than that of progesterone, the mean increase being 80 and 50 per cent respectively. Following the termination of the pregnancy, the half life (t½) of endogenous HCG in peripheral plasma could be calculated, and was found to be about 7 hours.

Download Full-text

PERIPHERAL PLASMA LEVELS OF 17α-HYDROXYPROGESTERONE DURING HUMAN PREGNANCY

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/acta.0.0710765 ◽

1972 ◽

Vol 71 (4) ◽

pp. 765-772 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Tore H:son Holmdahl ◽

Elof D. B. Johansson

Keyword(s):

Plasma Levels ◽

Gradual Increase ◽

First Trimester ◽

Gradual Decline ◽

Plasma Progesterone ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Human Pregnancy ◽

Peripheral Plasma ◽

Normal Human ◽

The Mean

ABSTRACT Peripheral plasma levels of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone* were measured during normal human pregnancy. During the first trimester measurements of peripheral plasma progesterone were also included. Five cases of early pregnancies were followed with frequent blood-sampling until the 14th week of gestation. In one of the women daily blood samples were collected from 10 days prior to conception until the beginning of the 6th week. From the 18th week on, a total of 173 blood-samples were obtained from individual patients. During the 7th week the average plasma levels of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone reached a maximum of 3.7 ng per ml followed by a gradual decline. From week 14 to week 34 the mean level was around 0.5 ng per ml. Thereafter an increase towards term was noted with a mean plasma level of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone of about 2 ng per ml in week 40. Peripheral plasma progesterone decreased from a mean level of 27.0 ng per ml in week 5 to reach a nadir of 16.0 ng per ml in weeks 8 and 9 followed by a gradual increase. No correlation between the plasma levels of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone and the clinical outcome of pregnancy could be demonstrated.

Download Full-text

THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE HUMAN GRANULOSAL LUTEIN CELL OF THE FIRST TRIMESTER OF GESTATION

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/acta.0.0580481 ◽

1968 ◽

Vol 58 (3) ◽

pp. 481-496 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Poul Hjortkjær Pedersen ◽

Jørgen Falck Larsen

Keyword(s):

Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽

First Trimester ◽

Corpora Lutea ◽

Steroid Synthesis ◽

Intracellular Location ◽

Human Pregnancy ◽

Subendothelial Space ◽

Lutein Cell ◽

Early Human

ABSTRACT The ultrastructure of granulosal lutein cells of 13 corpora lutea in early human pregnancy was studied. The predominant cytoplasmic element was the smooth endoplasmic reticulum. No convincing signs of degeneration of the lutein cells could be demonstrated within the first 14 weeks of pregnancy, as the mitochondria as well as the rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum were well preserved. However, lysosomes may be slightly more numerous in older specimens and the subendothelial space increases with the age of gestation. A particular type of multilaminated structure one to five micron in diameter was observed, particularly in the earliest specimens. The possible intracellular location of steroid synthesis is discussed.

Download Full-text

PLASMA 20α-DIHYDROPROGESTERONE, PROGESTERONE AND 17-HYDROXYPROGESTERONE IN NORMAL HUMAN PREGNANCY

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/acta.0.0860634 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 86 (3) ◽

pp. 634-640 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Emma Florensa ◽

Robert Harrison ◽

Michael Johnson ◽

Ezat Youssefnejadian

Keyword(s):

Plasma Concentration ◽

Plasma Levels ◽

First Trimester ◽

Significant Drop ◽

Human Pregnancy ◽

Peripheral Plasma ◽

Normal Human ◽

First Trimester Of Pregnancy ◽

The Mean ◽

17 Hydroxyprogesterone

ABSTRACT The peripheral plasma levels of 20α-dihydroprogesterone (20α-DHP), progesterone (P) and 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) were measured by radioimmuoassay techniques in 440 samples during normal human pregnancy between weeks 4 and 41. The levels of 20α-DHP in plasma from the 4th to the 6th week were between 6.0 and 6.6 ng/ml. From then until the 21st week the average plasma 20α-DHP concentrations remained at the same level between 4.0 and 6.3 ng/ml; they then rose significantly to and beyond term, levels reaching over 40 ng/ml. The range of mean plasma concentration of P during the first trimester of pregnancy fell to a nadir in the 9th week (170 ng/ml) then rose with increased gestation until the 39th week (190.4 ng/ml) followed by a slight and not significant drop. Single measurements of plasma 17-OHP from the 4th to the 6th week of pregnancy gave value between 2.8 and 3.6 ng/ml, but from the 7th week the mean plasma 17-OHP levels gradually declined, then from week 30 the 17-OHP concentration increased to reach a mean level of 7.63 ng/ml in the 41st week. The ratio P/20α-DHP increased from the 4th (3.5:1) to the 24th week (15.6:1) and then decreased from the 25th week (7.9:1) towards term (3.2:1).

Download Full-text