High progesterone is related to effective human labor. Study of serum progesterone and 5alpha-pregnane-3,20-dione in normal and abnormal deliveries.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The role of progesterone levels during human labor is unclear.

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate serum concentrations of progesterone and 5alpha-pregnane-3,20-dione in normal and abnormal deliveries.

METHODS:

Venous and umbilical cord serum samples were collected from 108 parturient women. In a further 49 deliveries, arterial and venous umbilical cord sera were collected separately. The concentrations of progesterone and 5alpha-pregnane-3,20-dione were determined by radioimmunoassay. The delivery modes studied were: elective cesarean section; oxytocin-resistant dystocia; normal but induced delivery, and normal spontaneous delivery.

RESULTS:

Progesterone concentrations in maternal and umbilical serum were higher following normal labor than after dystocia (p<0.005) and elective cesarean section (p<0.005). The maternal and umbilical progesterone concentrations in dystocia and elective cesarean section were between 77-43% of those in normal labor. The concentrations did not vary between gestational weeks 37 and 42, within the different modes of delivery. The 5alpha-pregnane-3,20-dione serum concentration in the fetal compartment was twice that in the maternal compartment (p<0.001); its concentration in venous umbilical serum was higher than in corresponding arterial samples (p<0.001). No distinct differences in the 5alpha-pregnane-3,20-dione serum concentration were found with regard to parity or mode of delivery.

CONCLUSION:

High progesterone concentrations during parturition appear to be related to effective labor. The findings support results from in vitro experiments on human term myometrium.

• Authors: M Löfgren, T Bäckström
• Journal: Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica (Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand) Vol. 76 Issue 5 Pg. 423-30 (May 1997) ISSN: 0001-6349 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9197444 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Pregnanediones
• Progesterone
• 5-alpha-Dihydroprogesterone

Topics

• 5-alpha-Dihydroprogesterone
• Adult
• Case-Control Studies
• Cesarean Section
• Delivery, Obstetric (methods)
• Dystocia (blood)
• Female
• Fetal Blood (chemistry)
• Gestational Age
• Humans
• Labor, Induced
• Labor, Obstetric (blood)
• Parity
• Pregnancy
• Pregnanediones (blood)
• Progesterone (blood, physiology)
• Regression Analysis