Human chorionic gonadotropin and relaxin concentrations in early ectopic and normal pregnancies
Article Abstract:
Relaxin is a hormone produced immediately after ovulation (egg release) by the corpus luteum, a portion of the ovary, in preparation for pregnancy. It is thought that the amount of relaxin released into the blood could indicate the health of the corpus luteum. This would be particularly useful in assessing women undergoing fertility procedures that induce ovulation. The measurement of relaxin may also be useful in assessing the status of ectopic pregnancies, a potentially life-threatening condition in which the embryo implants in areas outside of the uterus. When ectopic pregnancies spontaneously resolve (as opposed to requiring surgical removal), the level of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone produced by the developing embryo, decreases progressively. To see if the measurement of relaxin helps assess the status of a pregnancy, 10 women with resorbing ectopic pregnancies and 13 women with normal pregnancies were evaluated. Between the 39th and 70th days of pregnancy relaxin levels were substantially lower in the women with resorbing ectopic pregnancies. An additional 11 patients who took drugs to induce ovulation (Pergonal and Clomid) had their relaxin levels measured as well. The women given Pergonal had higher relaxin levels than the women whose ovulation was induced by clomiphene or those with normal pregnancies. It is concluded that the amount of relaxin measured in the blood reflects the status of the corpus luteum in both normal and abnormal pregnancies. Although progesterone is also a hormone produced by the corpus luteum, its level may not be revealing in patients taking supplemental progesterone during ovulation induction procedures. Furthermore, by the eighth week of a normal pregnancy the progesterone is primarily made by the placenta and would not be a useful measurement. In those cases, relaxin measurement could be helpful in assessing the status of the corpus luteum. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0029-7844
Year: 1990
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Multifetal pregnancy in a gonadal dysgenesis mosaic
Article Abstract:
People with gonadal dysgenesis (abnormal development of the sex organs due to chromosomal aberrations) of the type known as Turner's syndrome can have a range of genetic make-ups, with widely varying phenotypes (appearances). One known chromosomal abnormality is the 45,X/46,XY mosaic pattern, in which some cells contain 45 chromosomes including an unpaired X (female) chromosome, while others contain 46 chromosomes, with an XY (male) sex chromosome. Some women with this pattern appear relatively feminine, while others look more sexually ambiguous. Because of an increased risk of cancer, the primitive gonads (sex organs) of such women are often removed in childhood. However, if the uterus is retained, pregnancy via ovum donation (implantation of a donated, fertilized egg) is possible. The case report is described of a 27-year-old woman with 45,X/46,XY mosaicism who underwent implantation of four embryos (formed by the union of ova from a known donor and the patient's husband's sperm), following the administration of hormones to induce development of the uterine lining prior to implantation. Three embryos survived and, after a relatively uneventful pregnancy, three babies were born at 33 weeks' gestation. The results suggest that women with Turner's syndrome can, in fact, achieve successful multiple pregnancies. This finding supports previous studies suggesting that removal of the fallopian tubes and uterus, in addition to the primitive gonads, as a protective measure against malignancy may not be desirable. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0029-7844
Year: 1990
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Menopause and hypothalamic-pituitary sensitivity to estrogen
Article Abstract:
Study was conducted to determine whether modifications of hypothalamic-pituitary response to estrogen feedback mechanisms occur in older reproductive-age women as a mechanism of the onset of menopause. Results revealed that the hypothalamic-pituitary were insensitive to estrogen in aging perimenopausal women.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 2004
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