[Oestrogens and cortisol in amniotic fluid of normal and complicated pregnancies (author's transl)].

Amniotic fluid of normal pregnancies and of pregnancies complicated with light to moderate EPH-toxaemias was investigated for oestrogens. No differences were found between normal and toxaemic pregnancies. Oestrogens increased significantly with proceeding gestational age. When amniotic fluid of normal pregnancies was analyzed for oestrogens and cortisol a significant correlation between the two hormones could be demonstrated. This is interpreted as an expression of the metabolic activity of the fetal adrenal cortex.