Salivary female sex hormone levels and gingivitis in pregnancy.

Salivary estradiol 17 beta (E2-17 beta) and progesterone (P) were determined by using radioimmunoassay techniques in 30 pregnant females in the first, second and third trimesters as well as in 10 non-pregnant controls during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Plaque index (P.I.), gingival index (G.I.) and retention index (R.I.) were measured in all cases. The data obtained showed that the levels of the two hormones in saliva were significantly increasing during the 3 trimesters of pregnancy. P.I. and R.I. did not change, however, G.I. was significantly higher in the second and third trimesters when compared with controls. A correlation between both E2--17 beta and P during pregnancy and gingival changes is suggested.