Serum progesterone, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, human chorionic gonadotropin, and prolactin in early pregnancy and a case of spontaneous abortion.

Sequential serum samples were obtained from each of seven healthy volunteers whose dates of conception were carefully monitored, with the use of artificial insemination techniques. Progesterone, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, beta-hCG, and prolactin were measured by radioimmunoassay, utilizing specific antibodies. Of the seven initial volunteers, six women delivered viable, healthy infants. The seventh woman aborted spontaneously during the 10th week after conception. In the control patients, the levels for beta-hCG rose in a predictable fashion, rising to mean peak levels (10,000 mIU/ml) by the 8th week after conception. Progesterone concentrations gradually increased and plateaued from the 3rd to the 9th week. Mean progesterone values during that time period ranged from 20.6 to 24.6 ng/ml. The mean peak values of 4 ng/ml 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone was reached by the 3rd week after conception, gradually declining to luteal levels by the 8th week after conception. Prolactin remained below 30 ng/ml until the 7th week after conception, increasing gradually thereafter. This study failed to show that 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone was a reliable marker of corpus luteum function in pregnancy. Endocrine parameters reliably predicted fetal jeopardy in the abortion patient.