Non-steroid hormones and tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) in emetic and non-emetic pregnancy

In order to investigate further the endocrine and metabolic features of the common condition emesis gravidarum, serum concentrations of some non-steroid hormones and tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) were determined in 102 healthy pregnant women. 62 complained of nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy. Significantly higher and lower levels of human chorionic gonadotropin were noted in early and late pregnancy, respectively, in women with emesis gravidarum. A significant rise in serum prolactin and TPA was found throughout pregnancy in all subjects, no differences between emetic and non-emetic pregnancies being registered. Serum concentrations of growth hormone (hGH) showed a significant decline as pregnancy advanced. Emetic women demonstrated higher hGH levels in late pregnancy than did asymptomatic subjects. Free T4 concentrations remained stable when comparing early with late pregnancy, no dissimilarities being found between women with and without nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. These data do not support the hypothesis of major metabolic disturbances as an etiologic factor for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. However, as overt differences between emetic and non-emetic pregnancy were found, hormonal factors may be involved in the pathogenesis of this condition.