Maternal serum hormone changes during abortion induced with 16,16-dimethyl-trans-delta 2-PGE1 methyl ester.

The PGE1 derivative 16,16-dimethyl-trans-delta 2-PGE1 methyl ester, administered to first trimester women to induce abortion, has been shown not to affect the maternal serum hormone levels of prolactin, TSH, and cortisol. The hCG drop noticed between 3 and 6 hours into therapy could have been induced by the prostaglandin or the chlorpromazine used to prevent prostaglandin side effects. It is suggested that a prostaglandin of the E1 type - in contrast to the PGE2 derivatives - does not interfere with the maternal pituitary secretion of prolactin and TSH.