Plasma oestriol and placental proteins: a cross-sectional study at 38 weeks gestation

Blood was collected from 53 normal women in the 38th week of pregnancy. The plasma concentration of unconjugated oestriol, total oestriol and oestriol sulphate was measured and also human placental lactogen and pregnancy specific beta1 glycoprotein. The normal spread of the two proteins was found to be slightly smaller than that of the oestrogens. The concentrations of unconjugated and of total oestriol were related; otherwise these substances varied independently of one another. The concentration of these substances was not related to other obstetric parameters.