Steroids in human intrauterine fluids of early pregnancy

摘要: OBJECTIVE Little is known of the hormone environment developing early human embryo. We have therefore measured selected steroids in intrauterine fluids pregnancy. DESIGN Measurement progesterone, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, oestradiol-17β, testoste rone, androstenedione, cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate matched samples coelomic fluid, amniotic fluid maternal serum collected before pregnancy termination from 12 women between 8 weeks gestation. RESULTS Mean concentrations oestradiol-17β 17α-hydroxyprogesterone were respectively 20, 6 2 times greater than 8, 13 2.6 those fluid. Concentrations testosterone androstenedione highest lowest Cortisol found only at limit detection but normal serum. CONCLUSIONS Coelomic contains relatively high which may be synthesized locally. Amniotic lower (other progesterone) are or serum. Free diffusion across amnion appears limited. This constitute a mechanism to protect embryo unwanted exposure biologically active steroids.