Progesterone and 5 alpha-pregnane-3,20-dione in human amniotic fluid.

Progesterone and 5 alpha-pregnane-3,20-dione (5 alpha-DHP) were determined by radioimmunoassay in 242 amniotic fluid samples from 16-19 weeks of gestation. 165 samples fulfilled the criteria of the normal collective. There is a positive correlation (r = 0.359, p less than 0.001) between progesterone and 5 alpha-DHP. The mean concentration (+/- SD) of progesterone for normal pregnancies was 68.04 +/- 35.56 ng/ml, the mean for 5 alpha-DHP was 6.6 +/- 4.76 ng/ml. A slight decrease of the hormone concentrations with increase of the week of gestation was observed. 7 cases, who later developed EPH-gestosis showed a significant higher progesterone concentration (p less than 0.05). 16 women with premature labor had a significant higher 5 alpha-DHP concentration (p less than 0.05). Significantly elevated progesterone and 5 alpha-DHP values were found in 36 cases of bleedings in early pregnancy. Pregnant women older than 35 years proved to have a significant higher 5 alpha-DHP concentration (p less than 0.05). Also women, who delivered a child weighing less than 2,500 g (n = 8), showed a significant higher progesterone concentration (p less than 0.01). There was no difference in amniotic fluid progesterone and 5 alpha-DHP concentration depending on the sex of the child. The hormone concentrations of 3 cases with Morbus Langdon-Down were slightly below the mean concentration for progesterone and 5 alpha-DHP. Progesterone and 5 alpha-DHP concentrations were found to be normal in one case each of open Ductus Botalli, esophagial atresia, conjunctival bleeding with eyelid edema, teleangiectasia, Morbus Gaucher, sicklefoot, omphalocele, clubfoot, and stillbirth respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)