VASOPRESSIN-INDUCED INCREASE IN PERIPHERAL PLASMA PROGESTERONE LEVELS DURING EARLY HUMAN PREGNANCY

Abstract

ABSTRACT Vasopressin, adrenaline and theophyllamine infusions administered to pregnant women in the first trimester had a marked stimulating effect on the progesterone* level of peripheral plasma. The effect was dose-dependent within the range tested, and the vasopressin effect was potentiated when theophyllamine was added to the infusion medium. Vasopressin infusion, however, had no effect on the human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) level in peripheral blood. Oxytocin had only a slight effect on the progesterone levels as compared with a control group receiving only saline infusion. 3′,5′-adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP) infusion given over a period of 40 minutes (0.4 mg/kg/min) to one pregnant woman resulted in a moderate increase in the progesterone level.