EXCRETION OF SODIUM PREGNANEDIOL GLUCURONIDATE IN URINE OF NORMAL HUMAN PREGNANCY 1

Abstract

The urinary excretion of Na pregnanediol glucuronidate was studied by the method of Venning in 6 cases of normal pregnancy at weekly intervals from the 3rd mo. to full-term, and thereafter at daily intervals for the first 5 days of the puerperium. The results confirm the general findings of Venning, Henry and Browne concerning the normal gestational ranges and levels of the excretion of this compound but show, in addition, that the curve of its excretion is characterized by cyclic monthly fluctuations and by a peak in output during the last mo. At the time of labor the rate of excretion falls. Additional data from 5 cases of multiple pregnancy indicated that the ranges and levels of excretion in these cases were not markedly different from those of single-fetus gestation, at least during the last half of gestation. The rate of excretion of pregnanediol glucuronidate during normal pregnancy was probably detd. by the maturity of gestation, rather than by the size or number of fetuses or placentas in utero.