SERUM OESTRIOL LEVELS DURING PREGNANCY

Abstract

Using a specific radioimmunoassay, serum levels of unconjugated oestriol were measured in 27 normal women during the 16th to the 36th week of pregnancy . The data obtained show a rise in the mean oestriol level which increased from 1 . 15 ~ 0 .23 ng/ ml in the 16 week to 16.36 ~ 3 . 6 ng/ml in the 36 week. During 16 - 24 weeks of pregnancy mean serum oestriol levels ranged between 1 . 15 and 2.08 ng/ml . A marked rise in oestriol concentrations (7 .1 ~ 1 .5 ng/ml) was observed at 28 weeks . In subsequent months the serum oestriol concentration increased steadily reaching the mean value of 16.36 + 3 . 6 ng/ml near term. In one patient receiving antibiotic treatment the levels remained low until the 32nd week of pregnancy . In five subjects including a Rh negative individual, the serum oestriol levels were within the 1 2 normal range until 28 weeks of pregnancy but there was a marked fall in the levels during the 32nd week. In these subjects, however, the foetul o utcome was normal . In one case a neonatal death oc cured following delivery in which the serum oestriol concentra tion was normal. Except for an earlier rise in the serum oestriol concentration, the profile of oestriol l eve ls during pregnancy in this restricted sample of Pakistani women, indicates no major divergence from the already reported data .