Serum hormone levels in women undergoing abortion with intra-amniotic, extra-amniotic or intra-muscular administration of 15(S) 15-methyl-prostaglandin F2alpha.

The serum levels of estradiol-17beta, progesterone and HPL have been estimated by specific radioimmunoassay in thirty women undergoing abortion with 15-methyl-PGF2alpha given by intra-amniotic, extra-amniotic or intra-muscular route. A significant decline in the levels of these hormones was observed in 27 cases in which the pregnancy was terminated. However, in the remaining three cases, 15-methyl-PGF2alpha was found to be unsuccessful, and no significant change in the hormone levels was evident. The decline in these hormones was more marked by intra-muscular route, than that observed by the other routes. The pattern of estradiol-17beta decline was more consistent when compared with progesterone and HPL. The levels of progesterone and HPL, in a few cases, rather showed an increase in the initial hours of 15-methyl-PGF2alpha administration before the decline began and this pattern was more prominent on extra-amniotic administration. In general, the decline in the hormone levels was slower in cases which took longer time for abortion than cases with shorter induction-abortion time (IAT). The decline in estradiol-17beta levels was about 65% at six hour of intra-muscular administration of 15-methyl-PGF2alpha, whereas the corresponding fall with intra-amniotic and extra-amniotic routes was 29 and 22%, respectively. However, the net drop in its levels during IAT was not significantly different (range 70 to 80%) by the three routes. About 38% fall in progesterone levels was observed at six hour of intra-muscular administration whereas, by intra-amniotic the fall was 19%. The net decline in progesterone levels, during IAT, was in the range of 46 to 60% by the three routes. Similarly, intra-muscular 15-methyl-PGF2alpha evoked a sharper decline in HPL levels as compared with other routes. The total decline during IAT was 58 to 66%. The results, thus indicated that the abortion with 15-methyl-PGF2alpha was associated with a fall in the serum hormone levels, which could be resultant effect of alterations in the hormone production by the foeto-placental unit. This along with the uterine contractions may play a significant role in the abortifacient action of 15-methyl-PGF2alpha.