Maternal plasma, human placental lactogen, alpha-fetoprotein, prolactin and growth hormone in early pregnancy.

Human placental lactogen (HPL), alpha-fetoprotein, prolactin and growth hormones were assayed simultaneously twice weekly in 21 women from 4--16 weeks' gestation. Mean levels were established from 15 of the women for comparison with one woman with a twin pregnancy, two who aborted and three who received progestogen supplements. There was wide interpatient variation in all hormone levels excepting HPL. The mean levels of all except growth hormone showed an upward trend. Mean growth hormone levels were higher initially but remained within a 2--4 ng/ml range throughout. In the twin pregnancy, only HPL and alpha-fetoprotein levels were significantly raised. HPL was detected in one of the two women who aborted, whereas growth hormone was initially extremely high, falling precipitously prior to abortion in both women. Treatment with progestogen supplements did not appear to influence any of the hormones measured. This study suggests that serial estimations of HPL appear to be the most cost-effective guide to early fetal well-being of the four hormones measured.