Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate loading test and determination of plasma oestetrol concentration in late pregnancy

Intravenous application of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) was performed in 6 women with normal progress of pregnancy, 3 pregnant women with multiple pregnancy and 4 pregnants with intrauterine death of the foetus (32nd to 38th week). The oestetrol concentrations in blood serum were estimated during 5 h after the injection. In most cases an increase could be observed, but this was inhomogenous. The oestetrol concentration even rises in cases of intrauterine death of the foetus. In 7 cases of uncomplicated pregnancies the DHEA-S loading test was done within 2 to 6 h before delivery. The oestetrol concentration in the cord serum of the newborns was not higher than in controls without DHEA-S application, whereas oestradiol in maternal serum showed the expected rise. We conclude that the determination of oestetrol after DHEA-S loading can not be used for the judgement of the foetal situation.