Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol 78, 70-72, Copyright © 1994 by Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

Maternal plasma progesterone levels fall after rectal administration of estriol

DJ Moran, HH McGarrigle and GC Lachelin
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College and Middlesex School of Medicine, London, United Kingdom.

Maternal plasma unconjugated estriol (E3), progesterone (P), and estradiol (E2) levels were measured at 30-min intervals for 6 h after the rectal administration of a 100-mg E3 or placebo suppository to 28 pregnant women at term. Mean plasma unconjugated E3 levels showed a sustained rise approximately 50% above baseline levels 2 h after rectal E3 administration (P < 0.003). There was a simultaneous sustained fall of approximately 20% in mean plasma P levels (P < 0.05); the fall in mean P levels was greatest in the women who delivered within 48 h of E3 suppository administration (P < 0.05). There was no change in mean plasma E2 levels. This study demonstrates that a significant rapid increase in maternal circulating E3 levels can be obtained by the rectal administration of E3, and that this increase in maternal E3 levels is associated with a decrease in circulating P levels.

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