PLASMA LEVELS OF 17-HYDROXYCORTICOSTEROIDS AND URINARY EXCRETION PATTERN OF KETO-STEROIDS IN NORMAL PREGNANCY

Abstract

Repeated analyses of the plasma levels of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids and urinary excretion of various 17-keto- and 20-ketosteroids were made in 17 women throughout pregnancy and in 1 case after delivery. The plasma level of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids was found to rise in early pregnancy, remain constant or decrease slightly during midpregnancy, and during the 3d trimester a 2d peak in concentration occurred followed by a decrease. The total 17-ketosteroids concentration was found to increase only slightly throughout pregnancy. Of the individual 17-ketosteroids, androsterone and etiocholanolone were found to decrease during the latter part of pregnancy while the excretion of 11-oxygenated 17-ketosteroids in the form of 11-keto-etiocholanolone and 11-hydroxy-etiocholanolone increased. Pregnanolone, 11-keto-allopregnanolone, 17-isopregnanolone and pregnanediol and 3 additional unidentified steroids were also found in pregnancy urine. The increase in the concentration of 11-oxygenated 17-ketosteroids in theurine during pregnancy appears to correspond to the increase in the level of plasma 17-hydroxycorticosteroids.