RESUMO
In this study, sera of healthy pregnant females collected during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters were analyzed for total thyroxine [TT4], total triiodothyronine [FT3] and thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH] utilizing radioimmunological assays [RIA]. Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin [beta HCG], alpha fetoprotein [AFP] and estradiol [E3], which are interesting hormones related to the mother-fetal relationship and the safety of the fetus, were also determined in the same sera. As a function of pregnancy duration, there was an increase in each of serum T4 and T3 and no appreciable changes could be noticed in TSH. On the contrary, FT4 decreased gradually with the progress of pregnancy. On the other hand, FT3 showed no significant difference between the different intervals of pregnancy. The feto-mother markers [AFP and E3] showed a remarkable increase with the progress of pregnancy. A correlation coefficient was found between each two parameters at each interval of pregnancy and revealed interesting relationships which clarified the findings