[Determination of oestrogens in pregnancy (author's transl)]

The chemistry of oestrogens, and the metabolism of the oestrogens during pregnancy is considered. On this basis, appropriate methods of oestrogen determination have been devised for the recognition of foetuses at risk; the diagnostic significance of these methods is discussed. A method is regarded as suitable if the results can be quickly available, and give a reliable representation of the rate of oestriol production by the foeto-placental unit. Following a review of the development of eostrogen determinations, one method for the photometric measurement of total urinary oestrogens and one method for the radio-immunological determination of serum oestriol are discussed in detail. The advantages and disadvantages of studies on urine and serum are summarized in a table. Finally, problems in the clinical evaluation of the results of oestriol determinations are discussed.