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Progesterone production in early pregnancy
S T Nakajima1, F G Nason, G J Badger
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington 05405.
Fertility and Sterility
|March 1, 1991
Summary
Progesterone levels after abortion reveal the corpus luteum sustains production into the second trimester. Increasing placental hormone production reduces pregnancy
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Hormonal Regulation of Pregnancy
Background:
- Progesterone (P) is crucial for maintaining early pregnancy.
- The corpus luteum (CL) and trophoblast are known sources of progesterone.
- Understanding the dynamics of progesterone production is key to pregnancy maintenance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To differentiate progesterone origins (CL vs. trophoblast) after elective abortion.
- To investigate the relationship between human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and luteal steroidogenesis.
- To determine the duration of corpus luteum function during pregnancy.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of serum progesterone (P) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels.
- Analysis of progesterone decline kinetics following elective abortion.
- Mathematical modeling to distinguish progesterone contributions from the corpus luteum and trophoblast.
Main Results:
- Progesterone levels exhibited a biphasic decline post-abortion: rapid initial fall followed by a slower decline.
- The initial rapid decrease in P was attributed to trophoblastic origin.
- The sustained P levels 3 hours post-abortion indicated continued corpus luteum steroidogenesis.
Conclusions:
- The corpus luteum (CL) contributes to progesterone production well into the second trimester of pregnancy.
- Increasing progesterone production by the trophoblast leads to pregnancy's progressive independence from the CL.
- This study elucidates the distinct roles and temporal contributions of the CL and trophoblast in progesterone production during pregnancy.