Plasma estrogens in the assessment of fetoplacental function.

A retrospective study has been undertaken to assess the diagnostic value of plasma estriol (E3) determinations, as compared with determinations of other biochemical parameters, in predicting the outcome of pregnancy. The normal levels of plasma unconjugated and total E3 were determined on weekly samples obtained during the third trimester of 258 normal pregnancies. Weekly concurrent specimens of plasma and 24-hour urine collections were obtained from 17 high-risk pregnancies associated with hypertension, intrauterine growth retardation and diabetes. Determination of plasma unconjugated and total E3 were made along with human placental lactogen (HPL), urinary E3, and other biophysical parameters such as the oxytocin challenge test, non-stressed test, ultrasonography, etc. The results of plasma E3 were not reported nor used for the clinical management of the patient. The data suggests that weekly plasma determinations were of little value in the assessment of feto-placental status. Some observations on the extent of variability of plasma E3 are discussed.

Postmenopausal virilization due to ovarian stromal hyperthecosis.

A 53-year-old woman presented with hirsutism of long duration and virilization of recent onset. She was gravida 12 para 9. The 17-ketosteroids were normal, gonadotropins were in the post-menopausal range, and the serum testosterone was in the male range. After bilateral oophorectomy, the testosterone became normal. Ovarian pathology revealed stromal hyperthecosis.

Steroid contraceptives in non-human primates (II). Metabolic fate of synthetic estrogens in the baboon after exposure to oral contraceptives.

PIP: The metabolism of isotopically labeled ethinyl estradiol (EE) and mestranol (ME) was studied in 3 baboons before and after the simultaneous injection of a norethindrone-mestranol contraceptive formulation. 6 days after the administration of tritiated-EE and carbon-14-ME, the mean urinary excretion of labeled-EE was 38.3-40.8% of the dose, while the excretion of labeled-ME was 17.8-19.8% of the dose. Plasma levels of tritiated-EE did not differ markedly between the follicular and luteal phases of the cycle. 24 hours after injection, plasma levels of tritiated-EE remained at levels more than 7% of the dose, which was considerably higher than recorded before administration of norethindrone-mestranol. In contrast, carbon-14-ME levels 24 hours after injection did not differ markedly from those found before treatment with norethindrone-mestranol. The results suggest that orally administered ME is demethylated to EE in primates.^ieng