Plasma hormone concentrations and serum 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in molar pregnancy

Concentrations of unconjugated 17 beta-estradiol, estrone, and estriol, and of progesterone, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone, delta 4-androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), choriogonadotropin beta-subunit, and prolactin were measured by radioimmunoassay in plasma of six patients with molar pregnancies of seven to 15 weeks of gestation. Serum 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.6.2) activity was also determined. Estriol was not detected in any of the six women. Values for DHEAS and progesterone were normal, except for one patient who had above-normal plasma progesterone. Values for the other hormones and the enzyme were within normal limits in very early intact molar pregnancies, but were above normal limits in more advanced cases. A close correlation was seen between 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity and concentrations of estradiol, estrone, testosterone, and 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone; the last four also correlated significantly with beta-choriogonadotropin in molar pregnancies, whether benign or invasive. Benign trophoblastic disease showed significant correlation of progesterone with beta-choriogonadotropin and with estradiol. We conclude that the estradiol, estrone, testosterone, and 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone were principally derived from molar tissue.