OESTROGEN LEVELS IN URINE AND AMNIOTIC FLUID IN PREGNANCY WITH LIVE ANENCEPHALIC FOETUS AND THE EFFECT OF INTRA-AMNIOTIC INJECTION OF SODIUM DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE SULPHATE ON THESE LEVELS

Abstract

ABSTRACT Urinary oestriol, oestrone and 17β-oestradiol have been estimated in fifteen women having live anencephalic foetuses. The low results obtained confirm those found by other workers. The oestriol, oestrone and 17β-oestradiol in the amniotic fluid of live anencephalic foetuses have been measured in eight patients. It is suggested that the low levels obtained reflect the relative lack of participation in oestrogen metabolism by a foetus with hypoplastic adrenal glands. In four patients, the effect of intra-amniotically injected sodium dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate was studied. In each patient there was a rise in urinary oestriol; urinary oestrone and 17β-oestradiol rose in three patients. In the liquor amnii only a rise in oestriol was detected. The possible significance of these findings are discussed.