Circadian rhythm of urinary oestrogen excretion during late pregnancy

ABSTRACT

Six hourly urine samples for two consecutive days from 15 Myanmar women during late pregnancy (36 weeks onwards) were taten to study the prescnce of circadian rhythm of urinary oestrogen excretion in pregnant Myanmar women. A circadian rhythm of urinary oestrogen excretion was observed. The urinary oestrogen level fell in second fraction (1300 hour to 1900 hour), rose in third fraction (19;00 hour to 0100 hour) and declined again in the fourth fraction (0100 hour to 0700 hour). Analysis of variance indicated significant variation in urinary oestrogen levels (p < 0.01). Moreover, high correlation between urinary oestrogen excretion of the second fraction and that of 24 hour sample was observed.