A role for estrogen in progesterone production during baboon pregnancy.

Abstract

The present study determined whether estrogen is important in the production of progesterone (P) during primate pregnancy. Serum P production rates (metabolic clearance rate [MCR] x peripheral serum concentration) were determined in baboons prior to and following maternal administration of the antiestrogen ethamoxytriphetol (MER-25) at 30, 15, 6, or 3 mg/kg of body weight by mouth daily for 10 or 20 day periods during or throughout the last one third of gestation. Maternal peripheral serum P concentrations decreased (p less than 0.05 to P less than 0.001, t test) 37 to 60% in 7 of 9 baboons following daily administration of MER-25. Since mean MCR-P prior to (1,567 1/day) and following (1,361 1/day) MER-25 were similar, the decline in serum P concentration reflected decreased P production. Serum P concentrations in five untreated baboons during the last one third of gestation fluctuated in level, but no significant sequential rise or fall occurred. The decrease in P production in baboons following antiestrogen administration suggests that the action of estrogen is required for sustaining the elevated P production typical of baboon pregnancy.

• Authors: E D Albrecht
• Journal: American journal of obstetrics and gynecology (Am J Obstet Gynecol) Vol. 136 Issue 5 Pg. 569-74 (Mar 01 1980) ISSN: 0002-9378 [Print] United States
• PMID: 6766669 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Estrogens
• Ethanol
• Progesterone
• Estradiol
• Ethamoxytriphetol

Topics

• Animals
• Estradiol (blood)
• Estrogens (physiology)
• Ethamoxytriphetol (pharmacology)
• Ethanol (analogs & derivatives)
• Female
• Haplorhini
• Papio
• Pregnancy
• Progesterone (metabolism)