EXCRETION OF 6-OXYGENATED METABOLITES OF PROGESTERONE AND PREGNANEDIOL DURING PREGNANCY

The excretion of preganediola and the 6-oxygenated metabolites of progesterone was measured during the last 12 weeks of pregnancy in fifty-five women. There was no significant change in pregnanediol excretion during the last 10 weeks of pregnancy but during this time there was a significant increase in the excretion of the 6-oxygenated metabolites. There was a significant correlation between the excretion of these latter metabolites and both fetal and placental weights at term. It is suggested that the 6-oxygenated metabolites may be arising from the fetal 6-hydroxylation of progesterone. In some patients with severe toxaemia pregnanediol excretion was low although excretion of 6-oxygenated metabolites was within the normal range.