STROGENIC AND ANDROGENIC SUBSTANCES IN ADVANCED PREGNANCY

¹ Institute of Animal Genetics, Edinburgh University

1. A study of the hormone concentration in the urine of 45 women in advanced pregnancy shows that marked differences exist between individuals, and cases should be considered individually.

2. The averages show a marked rise in excretion of the various forms of cestrin during the 10th month preceded by a relatively low level.

3. By far the greater portion of the cestrogenic substance excreted in pregnancy is found in a form which is separated with the cestriol fraction.

4. There is no indication that very high values of cestrin are necesarily associated with the onset of labour either in the combined or "free" form.

5. There is less androgen excreted by the pregnant than by the non-pregnant woman.

6. The androgens do not bear any quantitative relationship to the strogens.

7. Certain facts suggest that, although the androgenic substance in urine of pregnancy has no cestrogenic action, it may augment the cestrogenic effect of the cestrogens. The expenses of this investigation were defrayed entirely by grants from the Medical Research Council.

The author wishes to acknowledge her indebtedness to Dr. Parkes for helpful criticism, and also to Dr. Callow. Without the valuable co-operation of the Matrons of the Haig Ferguson Memorial Home and Bonnington Bank Home, the investigation could not have been made. Thanks are also due to Professor R. W. Johnstone and Dr. Edwin Robertson for access to the case records.