Radioimmunoassay of serum bile acids in normal pregnancy and in recurrent cholestasis of pregnancy.

Radioimmunoassay has been used to quantitate the conjugates of cholic and chenodeoxycholic acid in venous blood from women in different stages of normal pregnancy and in patients with recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (RCP). The levels of cholic and chenodeoxycholic acid were shown to be within normal limits throughout uncomplicated pregnancy, and elevated in RCP. Because of RIAs simplicity and reliability, it is suggested that this method can be used to detect and follow the course of RCP and to assess the possible influence of treatment, e.g. diet.