[Postpartum ovarian physiology. Pituitary gonadotropins, estradiol and prolactin during 12 months of postpartum physiology]. / Fisiología ovárica postparto. Gonadotropinas hipofisarias, estradiol y prolactina durante 12 meses a la resolución del embarazo.

In order to establish a relationship between hyperprolactinemia and FSH-LH associated to the ovarian physiology postpartum, a clinical/endocrinological follow-up was performed during a period of twelve months in a cohorte of seventeen women beginning pregnancy resolution. The study had two phases: Lactancy (LAC) and Post-lactancy (LAC) and Post-lactancy (POST-LAC). In both phases blood samples were obtained every week from the first one through the 52nd, to quantitate FSH, LH, prolactin (PRL) and estradiol (E-2). PRL levels were significantly higher during LAC as compared to POST-LAC: an inverse relationship in E-2/PRL was seen through the study. No significant changes for LH and FSH were attained in both phases. Concentrations of these gonadotropins were at the physiological levels and no differences in either one of the two phases were shown when compared to a nonlactating subject. There was a negative association in prolactin levels and the weeks postpartum, and on the contrary, a positive one for E-2. Thus, ovarian follicular development apparently is independent to the gonadotropic-hypophysis stimulus.

Maternal mortality rates in eclampsia.

This study evaluates the dominant factors that influence the course of eclampsia toward a lethal outcome by means of statistical analysis of various clinical, laboratory, and morphologic data of 365 cases of toxemia with convulsions, that included 49 deaths and 33 autopsies, registered during a 9 year period. This communication suggests that the death of eclamptic patients resulted from a combination of several factors that showed a very wide individual variation. Since advancing age of the mother was associated with a high incidence of coincidental renal and vascular diseases, this was the most clearly influential factor. The presence of twins, delay in hospitalization, under haste in deciding upon cesarean delivery, and underestimation of the initial clinical condition were all influential factors, although without statistical significance. Cesarean section, performed in 141 instances of ante- and intrapartum eclasmpsia (40.4 per cent), was not associated with a higher maternal mortality rate.