Increase of serum somatomedin C in hyperthyroid patients with pregnancy.

In thyrotoxic women with pregnancy, serum somatomedin C (SmC) concentration was markedly elevated (mean +/- SD 13.57 +/- 4.66 U/ml) compared to thyrotoxic women without pregnancy (1.24 +/- 1.09 U/ml), non-pregnant euthyroid women previously treated for hyperthyroidism (0.87 +/- 0.30 U/ml), normal subjects with pregnancy (6.08 +/- 3.36 U/ml) and pregnant euthyroid women previously treated for hyperthyroidism (5.98 +/- 1.52 U/ml). Since SmC/growth hormone ratio was significantly more in thyrotoxic pregnant women than in normal pregnant women and euthyroid pregnant women previously treated for hyperthyroidism, and since human placental lactogen (HPL), human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and prolactin (PRL) do not crossreact with SmC antibody, it is suggested that excess thyroid hormone during pregnancy results in excessive hepatic somatomedin C production.     

Use of beta-adrenolytics in treatment of hyperthyroidism in pregnant women]

Use of propranolol in the treatment of hyperthyreosis in pregnant women is discussed. It was noted, that propranolol given for 24-28 days in low doses, starting from the 34th-35th week of pregnancy, and in higher doses during 5 or 2 days preceding labour diminishes clinical symptoms of hyperthyreosis. It influences thyreotropic hormone levels. No side effects were seen in neonates of mothers treated with propranolol; thyreotrophic hormone levels were within normal values.     

Role of pituitary hormones in regulating renal vitamin D metabolism in man.

Studies in animals and tissue culture have shown the importance of prolactin and growth hormone in regulating renal 1 alpha-hydroxylase activity and plasma concentrations of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25(OH)2D3). Evidence for a similar role for these hormones in man was sought by using a radioreceptor assay to measure plasma 1,25(OH)2D3 concentrations in 20 normal subjects, 12 patients receiving dialysis, 11 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism, 10 pregnant women, seven women with prolactinoma, and 14 patients with acromegaly. Circulating 1,25(OH)2D3 concentrations were appreciably raised in the patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and the pregnant women (P less than 0.001), slightly but significantly increased in the patients with prolactinoma (P less than 0.05), and greatly raised in those with acromegaly (P less than 0.001). These results suggest that prolactin and growth hormone are important regulators of renal vitamin D metabolism in the physiological conditions of pregnancy, lactation, and growth in man.     

A correlation of EEG characteristics of pregnant women with the level of their anxiety

It has been shown that the EEG of pregnant women with high anxiety level is characterized by a lower occipital alpha and theta rhythm spectral power if compared to the EEG of women with low anxiety level. The frequency of the alpha rhythm of their EEG was reliably higher. Pregnant women with high anxiety level with a pregnancy interruption threat diagnosis have an essentially lower occipital alpha rhythm spectral power than women of this group without such a diagnosis. And vice versa, the occipital alpha rhythm spectral power in the EEG of pregnant women with low anxiety level with a pregnancy interruption threat diagnosis is essentially higher and its frequency essentially lower than the EEG of women without that diagnosis. The data received are interpreted as a change in hormone regulation during the pregnancy period, as well as psychogenic influence on the pregnancy.     

Lysosomal enzymes in pregnant and steroid treated rats

The contents of three lysosomal enzymes (beta-hexosaminidase, beta-glucuronidase and alpha-fucosidase) were studied in plasma and different tissues of pregnant and steroid treated rats. All these enzymes were found to be increased in plasma from pregnant rats in analogy with the findings in pregnant women. In liver tissue only beta-hexosaminidase and alpha-fucosidase were significantly increased. In rats with diethylstilbestrol (DES) and a combination of DES and progesterone, there was an increase of alpha-fucosidase in plasma and liver. No significant changes were observed for the other two enzymes. Thus, steroid treatment did not fully reproduce the enzyme changes seen in pregnancy, which may indicate that these are not solely due to a hormone effect.     

Profil des hormones thyroïdiennes chez les femmes enceintes : analyse de 125 cas à l’hôpital général de Yaoundé

This study was aimed at determining the evolution and the kinetics of thyroid hormones in a sub-population of pregnant women in Cameroon. We carried out a prospective study (from January 2005 to January 2006) on 125 consenting pregnant women at the Yaoundé General Hospital. Clinical and gyneco obstetric data with the gestational age were noted on a pre-designed questionnaire. Blood samples were drawn for serum assay of thyroxin (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroid stimulating hormone. The results were read with the “Oakfield health care” Gamma – 12 counter using the RIASTAT software. These patients, divided into four groups consisted of: 32 non pregnant women in the control group; 33 pregnant women in the first trimester; 30 pregnant women in the second trimester and 30 at the third trimester. The mean serum levels of T3 and T4 were relatively high in all pregnant women (irrespective of the gestational age) than in the control group. Serum levels of T3 and T4 were raised the first trimester with and progressively reduced in 2nd and 3rd trimester. On otherhand, TSH levels progressively increased as from the 2nd trimester to attain a maximum in the 3rd trimester. We can therefore conclude that blood levels of thyroid hormone as well as TSH vary during pregnancy and differ in titres with respect to the gestation age.     

Changes in urinary pregnandiol and estriol excretions during second trimester abortion induced by trichosanthin: a protein extracted from Radix trichosanthei]

Urinary pregnandiol and estriol levels were estimated by gas-liquid chromatography during abortion in 14 second-trimester pregnant women induced by 5-12.5 mg Trichosanthin. The plant protein was injected intramuscularly in 12 women and intraamniotically in 2. In all the cases studied, urinary hormone excretion increased temporarily after the administration of the drug; then decreased gradually to an extremely low level before and after parturition. The relationship between the changes of urinary hormone levels and the effects of Trichosanthin upon placental function are discussed. (Authors' modified)     

Evaluation of a peptide family encoded by the calcitonin gene in selected healthy pregnant women. A longitudinal study

We conducted a longitudinal study on serum levels of peptides encoded by the calcitonin gene before conception, every month during pregnancy, and 24 h and 5 days after delivery in 26 healthy women. Only subjects fulfilling optimality criteria according to the literature were included. Blood samples for ionized calcium, total (tCT) and extractable (exCT) calcitonin, katacalcin, and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were collected. We found no significant changes of ionized calcium, tCT, exCT, and katacalcin levels, while CGRP serum levels showed a significant increase during pregnancy and a fall to preconceptional values after delivery. Since variations of calcitonin levels did not occur in our selected pregnant women, we conclude that thyroidal C cell secretion is not increased during pregnancy. Our data suggest that calcitonin is not involved in the modifications of mineral homeostasis occurring in pregnancy. In addition, the variations of CGRP serum levels we found suggest that such a hormone participates in circulation modifications of pregnant women.     

Increased sensitivity of dopamine receptors and recurrence of affective psychosis after childbirth.

OBJECTIVE--To test the hypothesis that affective psychosis after childbirth is associated with an altered sensitivity to dopaminergic stimulation. DESIGN--Prospective study of pregnant women at high risk of developing an affective psychosis after childbirth. Clinical assessments in pregnancy and after delivery were made by using a semistructured interview (schedule for affective disorders and schizophrenia) and psychiatric illnesses were categorised according to operational criteria (research diagnostic criteria). SETTING--Obstetric and psychiatric departments in and around Greater London. SUBJECTS--29 pregnant women with a history of bipolar or schizoaffective psychosis and 47 control pregnant women. Of these, 16 from each group participated in a growth hormone challenge test and the results for 15 women in each group were analysed. INTERVENTIONS--On the fourth day postpartum women participating in the hormone challenge test were given a subcutaneous injection of a small dose (0.005 mg/kg) of the dopamine agonist apomorphine. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Growth hormone secretion in response to apomorphine as an index of the functional state of hypothalamic dopamine receptors. RESULTS--Eight of the 15 women at risk of psychosis subsequently had a recurrence of illness (five bipolar, one schizomanic, and two major depressive illnesses); these women had significantly greater growth hormone responses to apomorphine than the seven at risk women who remained well and the 15 controls, and there were no significant differences between groups in average baseline growth hormone concentrations. The mean (SD) concentrations for women with recurrence, women at risk who remained well, and control women respectively were: average baseline concentrations 1.06 (1.14), 1.44 (1.39), and 0.90 (1.34) mU/l; peak increase in concentrations 13.68 (12.95), 3.46 (4.68), and 3.40 (3.83) mU/l (between group difference p less than 0.05); average increase in concentrations 6.74 (7.01), 1.78 (3.39), and 1.40 (2.05) mU/l (p less than 0.05). CONCLUSIONS--The onset of affective psychosis after childbirth was associated with increased sensitivity of dopamine receptors in the hypothalamus and possibly elsewhere in the brain. Such changes may be triggered by the sharp fall in circulating oestrogen concentrations after delivery.     

Higher serum homocysteine and lower thyroid hormone levels in pregnant women are associated with neural tube defects

BackgroundThis study tested the hypothesis that abnormal maternal metabolism of both homocysteine and thyroid hormone network in pregnant women is associated with neural tube defects (NTDs) in a part of China with high NTD prevalence.MethodsA case–control study was performed between 2007 and 2009 in Lüliang Mountains, Shanxi Province. This study included 83 pregnant women who had fetuses with NTDs (cases) and 90 pregnant women with normal fetuses (controls). In addition, a cell model to illustrate the epidemiological findings was established.ResultsFetuses of mother who had both high total homocysteine (tHcy) and inadequate free thyroxine were 3 times more at risk of developing NTDs (adjusted odds ratio = 3.5; 95 % confidence interval = 1.2–10.4; cases vs. controls) using multivariate logistic regression models. Furthermore, biological interaction between metabolisms of Hcy and thyroid hormones was demonstrated in vitro. In homocysteine thiolactone of a metabolite of Hcy-treated mouse embryonic neural stem NE4C cells, genes (Bmp7, Ctnnb1, Notch 1, Gli2, and Rxra) related to both neural tube closure and thyroid hormone network were shown to be regulated by H3K79 homocysteinylation, which increased their expression levels.ConclusionsThe effect of maternal serum high tHcy on risk of developing NTDs is depended on maternal serum level of thyroxine. Meanwhile, a higher level of tHcy might also affect both maternal metabolism of thyroid hormone and neural tube closure in embryogenesis through homocysteinylation of histones.     

Structural basis of compensatory-adaptive reactions of the human placenta

25 placentas from pregnant women with preeclampsia and 18 women with uncomplicated pregnancy (control) were studied morphologically, using stereohistometric method. It was determined that placenta is a polyfunctional organ which is organized in such a way that the same morphological structures (chorionic epithelium, interstitium, capillaries) can perform different functions--transport, barrier, hormone. With the development of compensatory-adaptation reactions, structural placenta features determine the possibility to decrease the efficiency of some functions and increase the efficiency of others. These facts should be taken into consideration during the analysis of morphological placenta changes caused by the diseases of the mother and fetus.     

Dynamics of the X-sex chromatin in the buccal epithelial cells of pregnant women with rhesus-negative blood

The content of X-sex chromatin was studied in the buccal epithelial cells of pregnant women with Rh-negative blood. It was found that in women with a titer of Rh antibodies the amount of cells with X-sex chromatin decreases. A clinical-cytological correlation in the mother-placenta-fetus system was traced in pregnant women with a Rh antibody titer.     

妊娠期甲状腺疾病诊断及治疗的研究进展

妊娠期妇女体内激素水平会发生变化,使妊娠妇女甲状腺激素水平的测定和判断存在一定的困难,应选择适用于妊娠妇女的甲状腺激素水平特异值,进而正确评估甲状腺功能状态及对母体和胎儿的影响。孕前及妊娠期测定促甲状腺素和游离甲状腺激素有很大的必要性,因为甲状腺疾病以及单纯性甲状腺抗体阳性会导致多种妊娠不良结局,尤其是甲状腺功能减退对胎儿智力发育和认知功能具有非常大的影响。孕期甲状腺激素的监测对评估甲状腺功能状态及疾病预后具有非常大的作用,可以提示临床医师是否给予药物干预及如何调整药量。对于孕期甲状腺激素补充治疗后应达到的目标值以及甲状腺抗体阴性的亚临床甲状腺功能降低的妊娠患者是否给予干预,目前仍有异议。     

Multidimensional analysis of the essential elements in pregnant women's whole blood and characterization of maternal status by elemental pattern

BackgroundDuring pregnancy, the fetus needs to obtain a lot of nutrients from the mother, but the micronutrient deficiencies in pregnancy are not clear at present, and there is no reliable basis for nutrient intake and supplement. The purpose of this study was to understand the levels of essential elements in whole blood of pregnant women during various pregnancy stages at different ages and in different regions, to evaluate the deficiency of essential elements in Chinese pregnant women, and to explore the feasibility of using the elemental pattern to characterize maternal status.MethodsWhole blood samples of 11222 healthy pregnant women enrolled in different areas of China from Jan–Dec 2019, were analyzed for concentrations of six essential elements including Mn, Cu, Zn, Ca, Mg, and Fe, using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. A retrospective comparative study during different pregnancy periods at different ages and in different regions in whole blood essential elements content from non-pregnant normal women and pregnant normal women was developed using multivariate statistical analysis. Principal component analysis evaluation elemental pattern was used to characterize pregnancy status of pregnant women.ResultsIn general, the levels of six essential elements in whole blood of pregnant women can satisfy the needs of normal physiological activities. With the development of pregnancy, the contents of Cu and Mn increased, while the contents of Fe and Mg decreased, and the contents of Zn and Ca have no noteworthy change. At the same gestation stage, the Cu content in whole blood of elderly pregnant women was higher. There were some differences in whole blood essential elements content of pregnant women in different regions. Principal component analysis and heat map analysis showed the feasibility of using bioinformatics research strategies to identify different pregnancies.ConclusionsThere are differences in the content of whole blood essential elements of women at different stages of pregnancy in different regions. It was found that there was no obvious deficiency in whole blood essential elements levels of pregnant women in recent years. The pattern of essential elements has a certain application potential in the evaluation of pregnancy and pregnant women's health status.     

Urine Iodine Levels in Preeclamptic and Normal Pregnant Women

The aim of this study was to investigate the urine iodine concentration in women with severe preeclampsia and in healthy women in Erzurum, Turkey. Urine specimens were obtained from 40 severe preeclampsia and 18 healthy pregnant women. Urinary iodine levels were determined by the Foss method based on the Sandell–Kolthoff reaction. The urinary iodine level for women with severe preeclampsia was 4.25 ± 2.7 μg/dL, lower than 20.89 ± 6.4 μg/dL of urinary iodine for healthy pregnant women (p < 0.001). Blood magnesium concentration was found to be 1.63 ± 0.05 mg/dL for women with severe preeclampsia, which is lower than that of healthy pregnant women (1.87 ± 0.05 mg/dL; p < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between urinary iodine level and blood magnesium level in pregnant women with preeclampsia (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.43; p < 0.01). However, there was no correlation between urinary iodine level and blood magnesium level in healthy pregnant women. There was no difference in thyroid hormone levels (T4, TSH, FT4) between women with severe preeclampsia and healthy pregnant women. However, there was a difference in T3 thyroid hormone levels between women with severe preeclampsia (1.86 ± 0.4 μg/dL) and healthy pregnant women (1.45 ± 0.3 μg/dL; p < 0.001). There was also a difference in FT3 between women with severe preeclampsia (2.77 ± 0.4 pg/mL) and healthy pregnant women (2.41 ± 0.5 μg/dL; p < 0.01). Urinary iodine excretion is currently the most convenient laboratory marker of iodine deficiency. The method is useful for the rapid and low-cost assessment of iodine deficiency. Our results suggested that urinary iodine concentration might be a useful marker for prediagnosing preeclamptic women. In addition, iodine supplementation may also be considered for preeclamptic therapy.     

Modification of the level of pituitary FSH in pregnant rats subjected to the luteinizing or ovulatory action of estradiol

In pregnant female rats injected on the 10th day of pregnancy with 10 mcg of estradiol, pituitary follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is released on the 12th day, simultaneously with luteinizing hormone (LH) and a luteinizing or ovulatory effect. It is concluded that the test, which is described in detail, supports the hypothesis concerning the role played by FSH in determining the luteinizing action induced by estrogen in pregnant females, according to which the luteinizing effect is only produced when estradiol induces the simultaneous release of LH and FSH.     

Intracisternal granules in the somatotrophs in the anterior pituitary of the mouse

A detailed study of the anterior pituitaries of pregnant and lactating mice revealed changes occurring in the ultrastructure of the somatotrophs. The rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae become greatly dilated forming channels that are continuous with the perivascular space. This occurrence expands the membrane surface available for the release of hormone. Individual granules and cytoplasmic islands containing numerous granules appear in these channels. This suggests an alternative mechanism for granule release which would facilitate a rapid response to increased hormone requirement.     

德州市孕期妇女麻疹抗体水平调查分析

目的了解孕期妇女麻疹抗体水平,为麻疹免疫策略提供依据。方法2005-2006年,在德州市随机抽取部分地区20-38岁孕期妇女进行血清麻疹IgG抗体检测。结果检测702人,麻疹IgG抗体阳性率为84．33％,保护率为37．75％,抗体几何平均滴度（GMT）为1：176．81。不同地区麻疹抗体阳性率和GMT的差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.01）;GMT呈现随年龄增长而增加的趋势（P〈0．05）。结论德州市孕期妇女麻疹IgG抗体水平较低。     

Changes in serum and urinary levels of phosphorus in pregnant women, induced by effect of milk supplementation

It was studied the levels of phosphorus in serum and urine in two groups of pregnant women. One group was advised to follow their usual intake and the other to supplement the diet with 750 ml of milk. A control group of healthy non pregnant women were conformed to the same protocol. Pregnant women that followed their usual intake had the same levels of serum phosphorus and maximum phosphate transport as controls. Pregnant women who had taken milk supplement showed in the second and third trimester of pregnancy significantly lower serum phosphorus and maximum phosphate transport levels than controls and also with respect to pregnant women in the first trimester. It suggests a possible influence of diet on these parameters. Both groups of pregnant women showed hyperphosphaturia through the three trimesters.     

Steroid metabolism in primates. XX. Excretion of C21-steroids in urine of women and baboons (Papio hamadryas) during pregnancy]

Urinary excretion of 10 C21 steroids was investigated in women and baboons (Papio hamadryas) in various stages of pregnancy, in comparison to controls. In pregnant women, excretion of total C21 steroids is slightly increased, whereas in pregnant baboons it is slightly decreased. In women, excretion of tetrahydrocortisol and tetrahydrocortisone is diminished, that of 20 beta-OH-F (11-beta,17alpha,20beta,21-tetrahydroxy-4-pregnen-3,20-dione) and of 11-deoxycortisol is increased. In pregnant baboons no significant alterations in corticosteroid metabolism were established.