Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 18, 2026
12:17
The 4-vessel Sampling Approach to Integrative Studies of Human Placental Physiology In Vivo
Published on: August 2, 2017
11.3K
Hormone concentrations throughout uncomplicated pregnancies: a longitudinal study.
Helena Schock1,2, Anne Zeleniuch-Jacquotte3,4, Eva Lundin5
1Division of Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany. h.schock@dkfz.de.
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
|July 6, 2016
Summary
Maternal hormone levels during pregnancy can be estimated from early samples, even across subsequent pregnancies. This finding supports using single measurements from maternity cohorts to assess pregnancy hormone exposure.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Perinatal Epidemiology
- Chronic Disease Etiology
Background:
- Pregnancy hormones influence maternal and offspring chronic disease risk.
- Existing cohorts often lack serial hormone measurements, limiting understanding of exposure.
- The representativeness of single pregnancy hormone samples is poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the reliability of single pregnancy hormone measurements.
- To examine hormone level correlations within and between pregnancies.
- To determine if early pregnancy hormone levels predict later concentrations.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed serial serum samples from 71 women with uncomplicated pregnancies.
- Collected samples across all three trimesters.
- Correlated hormone levels within trimesters and between consecutive pregnancies.
Main Results:
- Hormone levels correlated more strongly between consecutive trimesters than between the first and third.
- Estradiol, progesterone, and other hormones increased during gestation.
- Early pregnancy hormone levels, combined with maternal/fetal factors, can estimate third-trimester concentrations.
Conclusions:
- Single hormone measurements in early pregnancy are suitable for quantifying exposure.
- Maternity cohort data can be used to assess pregnancy hormone exposure.
- This study provides novel data on hormone correlations within and between pregnancies.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:24Gonadal and Placental Hormones
3.7K
The gonads, namely the testes in males and the ovaries in females, are pivotal in producing gonadal hormones that orchestrate the intricate processes of sexual development and reproduction.
In males, testosterone is the primary gonadal androgen. It plays a central role in the maturation of male reproductive organs — the penis and testes. Additionally, testosterone is instrumental in the development of secondary sexual characteristics — a deep voice as well as facial and pubic hair...
In males, testosterone is the primary gonadal androgen. It plays a central role in the maturation of male reproductive organs — the penis and testes. Additionally, testosterone is instrumental in the development of secondary sexual characteristics — a deep voice as well as facial and pubic hair...
3.7K
01:27Ovarian Cycle
5.0K
The menstrual cycle includes a critical component known as the ovarian cycle, which undergoes two main phases each month—the follicular phase and the luteal phase. The follicular phase is variable and averaging around 14 days. Ovulation, triggered by a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH), marks the transition between the two phases. The second phase, the luteal phase, is relatively consistent, lasting approximately 14 days, and is marked by the activity of the corpus luteum. While a cycle...
5.0K
01:22Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle
2.1K
The ovarian cycle regulates endometrial changes throughout a single menstrual cycle via the coordinated action of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and gonadotrophins.
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH...
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH...
2.1K
01:23Drug Concentrations: Measurements
1.4K
Drug concentration is the quantity of a drug present in a biological sample. Measuring drug amounts in biological samples allows the clinician to understand how a drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted. Samples can be obtained through invasive or non-invasive methods. Invasive techniques involve surgical or parenteral interventions to gather blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or tissue biopsy. Conversely, non-invasive approaches provide samples like urine, feces, and saliva.
Plasma...
Plasma...
1.4K
01:40Hormonal Regulation
49.6K
Hormones regulate a significant portion of digestion through activation of the neuroendocrine system. The neuroendocrine system of digestion contains many different hormones all with multiple functions that are both, directly and indirectly, involved in digestion.
49.6K
01:33Hormonal Regulation
36.7K
The renin-aldosterone system is an endocrine system which guides the renal absorption of water and electrolytes, thus managing blood pressure and osmoregulation. Activation of the system begins in the kidneys with a small cluster of cells adjacent to the afferent and efferent blood vessels of the renal corpuscle. As the nephrons are filtering blood, juxtaglomerular cells monitor blood pressure. If they detect a decrease in pressure, they release the hormone renin into the bloodstream.
36.7K