UROPEPSIN EXCRETION IN NORMAL PREGNANCY AND IN TOXAEMIA OF LATE PREGNANCY

Abstract

Uropepsin excretion was measured in 11 normal non-pregnant women, 59 women in various stages of pregnancy and 22 women with toxemia of late pregnancy. The mean daily excretion of uropepsin was 1.51 mg in non-pregnant women, 1.68 mg during early pregnancy, 2.60 mg during late pregnancy and 3.55 mg in toxemia of late pregnancy. The increased uropepsin excretion during late pregnancy indicates an increased activity of the adrenal cortex which is even more pronounced in toxemia of late pregnancy. No significant difference was observed between the mean uropepsin excretions of primigravidae and multigravidae. Corticotropin promoted the uropepsin excretion of hyperemesis patients. Gastric disorders were not found to influence the uropepsin excretion during pregnancy.