THE EXCRETION OF NEUTRAL STEROIDS IN THE URINE OF PREGNANT WOMEN FOLLOWING THE ADMINISTRATION OF LARGE DOSES OF PROGESTERONE

Abstract

When pregnant patients were treated during the 20th-29th week of gestation with high doses of progesterone (100 mg - 200 mg/day parenterally, and 1000 mg/day orally), a distinct tendency toward a reduced urinary excretion of androsterone and etiocholanolone was seen. There was a similar decline in the excretion of 11-ketoetiocholanolone and 11-hydroxyandrosterone. The excretion of dehydroisoandrosterone was variable. Pregnane-3[alpha], 20[alpha]-diol, allopregnane-3[alpha], 20[alpha]-diol, pregnane-3[alpha]-ol-20-one and allopregnane-3[alpha]-ol-20-one were excreted in increased amounts during the administration period. Allopregnane-3[beta], 20[alpha]-diol was excreted in increased amount only when 1000 mg of progesterone were given by mouth. Data lend support to the hypothesis that the increased urinary excretion of progesterone metabolites and the decreased excretion of certain 17-keto-steroids during normal pregnancy are interrelated phenomena.