EFFECT OF INTRAVENOUS-INFUSION OF 15-METHYL-PGF2-ALPHA ON PLASMA HORMONE LEVELS DURING EARLY-PREGNANCY

Ten pregnant women (7th-8th week of pregnancy) obtained an intravenous infusion of 15-methyl-prostaglandin-F2α (2.5 μg/min) until clinical signs of abortion occurred or up to 7 hours. Surgical removal of the products of conception was performed 4-7 hours after the start of the infusion. Blood samples were taken prior to and during the infusion and then during the post-abortion period. The plasma levels of both progesterone and estradiol exhibited a significant decrease (p<0.001 and p<0.05, respectively) one hour after the beginning of infusion and remained reduced by approximately 35 and 45 per cent, respectively, during the entire infusion period. A drop in the levels of both steroids was seen after surgical interruption. This was followed by a gradual decrease to non-pregnancy levels. The levels of cortisol increased significantly (p<0.01) by approximately 60 per cent, starting with the second hour of infusion. Following surgical interruption, the levels dropped to pre-infusion values. 17-Hydroxyprogesterone levels increased (p<0.05) above the pretreatment levels by approximately 25 per cent, starting with the third hour of infusion. These levels were not correlated with those of cortisol during the infusion period. Following surgical interruption the plasma levels of 17-hydroxyprogesterone returned to non-pregnancy levels. © 1979.