[Functional study of the hypophyseal-thyroid and adrenal systems in physiological pregnancy and late toxicosis]

A comprehensive study was conducted in 30 healthy nonpregnant women, 115 healthy pregnant women and in 38 pregnant women with late toxicosis as well as in 25 healthy infants and 29 infants born to mothers with late toxicosis. A radioimmunoassay was used to measure serum thyrotropin (TSH), somatotropin (STH), adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), cortisol (CORT) and aldosterone (ALDO) levels. A catecholamine (CA) level was determined dy fluorimetry. Elevated ACTH, TSH, CORT and ALDO levels were noted in normal pregnancy. The above data indicated that the pituitary-thyroid and pituitary-adrenal systems of pregnant women formed adaptive reactions to the body demand for hormones. The reduction of ACTH and T3 levels and rise of CORT, ALDO, T4 levels and the serum protein thyroxine-binding capacity were noted in the pregnant women with late toxicosis. These hormonal differences may be indicative of a decrease in the reserves of women with late toxicosis. It is concluded that the pituitary-thyroid and pituitary-adrenal systems in newborns are capable of maintaining homeostasis by the moment of birth.