Johan Arnt Steier

Human chorionic gonadotropin and testosterone in normal and preeclamptic pregnancies in relation to fetal sex.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of fetal gender on serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and testosterone in normotensive and preeclamptic pregnancies. METHODS The study consisted of 137 women with singleton pregnancies in the third trimester. Seventy‐three pregnancies were uncomplicated; among those were 35 male and 38 female fetuses. Sixty‐four pregnancies were complicated by preeclampsia; among those were 33 male and 31 female fetuses. Human chorionic gonadotropin and total testosterone were measured in maternal peripheral blood. RESULTS In male‐bearing pregnancies, maternal hCG and testosterone serum levels were significantly higher in preeclamptic than normotensive mothers (P < .001). In female‐bearing pregnancies, testosterone levels were significantly higher in preeclamptic than normotensive mothers (P < .001), whereas the hCG levels were not significantly different. Male‐bearing preeclamptic women had significantly higher testosterone levels than female‐bearing preeclamptic women (P < .02), whereas the hCG levels were not significantly different. In uncomplicated pregnancies the hCG levels were significantly higher in female‐bearing than in male‐bearing mothers (P < .005), whereas the testosterone levels were not significantly different. CONCLUSION In preeclamptic pregnancies with male fetuses, the maternal serum hCG levels were significantly higher than in uncomplicated pregnancies. Total testosterone levels were significantly higher in pregnancies with either gender and significantly higher in male‐bearing than in female‐bearing pregnancies. This may indicate an androgen influence on the pathophysiologic mechanism of preeclampsia.

Human chorionic gonadotropin in maternal serum in relation to fetal gender and utero‐placental blood flow

Background.  To investigate whether fetal gender differences in human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in maternal serum and the presence of hCG receptors in the wall of the uterine arteries influence the utero‐placental blood flow.

Human Chorlonlc Gonadotropin in Cord Blood and Peripheral Maternal Blood in Singelton and Twin Pregnancies at Delivery

The influence of fetal sex on human chorionic gonadotropin IhCG) in cord and peripheral maternal blood was studied at delivery in 57 twin and 66 singleton uncomplicated pregnancies. In twin pregnancies the hCG levels were about twice as high in female‐female and in female‐male vis‐à‐vis male‐male combinations in both maternal and cord blood. In singleton pregnancies the hCG levels were significantly higher in maternal and in cord blood in cases of female vis‐his male infants. The ratio of maternal hCG/placental weight was also highest in the twin pregnancies when one or both infants were female. This suggests a “female effect”, possibly genetically based.

Ovarian Pregnancy Associated with the Intra‐Uterine Contraceptive Device: A survey of two decades

Records of 25 cases of ovarian pregnancy in the period 1965 to 1984 were reviewed. Seventeen cases (68%), had an IUCD in situ, and 15 of these had occurred during the last decade. The ratio of ovarian pregnancy to all ec‐topic pregnancies was 1:13 in the IUCD group versus 1:78 in the non‐IUCD group (p<0.025). In contrast to patients with tubal pregnancies, those with ovarian pregnancy very seldom have a history of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, or earlier pelvic operations. Subsequent fertility is good compared with patients with tubal pregnancies, for patients both with and without IUCD.

Morphological changes in tubal mucosa associated with the use of intrauterine contraceptive devices

Summary. We examined the endosalpinx of 28 healthy non–pregnant women, 12 of whom had an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) and 16 of whom had neither an IUCD nor used oral contraceptives. Measurements made on light– and scanning electron micrographs showed that the percentage area covered by ciliated cells was approximately 40% in non– IUCD users and only 20% in IUCD users.

Repeat Ectopic Pregnancy: A Twenty-year Hospital Survey

Seventy‐two patients with repeat ectopic pregnancy including 3 women with three ectopic pregnancies each during the period 1965 to 1984 were studied. In the same period there was a total of 842 ectopic pregnancies, giving a repeat ectopic pregnancy incidence of 9.4%. In the last decade the incidence of repeat ectopic pregnancy was 10.4%, and in the first decade it was 7.0% (p <0.025). None of the women used an intra‐uterine contraceptive device, among those with repeat ectopic pregnancy in the first decade, visa‐vis 17 (30.4%) in the last decade. A history of infertility was common among the patients with repeat ectopic pregnancy. Between the two events there was a total of 17 deliveries in 13 patients. Four out of 24 potentially fertile women completed full‐term pregnancies following their second ectopic pregnancy.

Disappearance of human chorionic gonadotropin after cesarean section with regard to fetal sex

Background.  To evaluate the influence of gender on the disappearance of human chorionic gonadotropin by cesarean section after fullterm pregnancies.

Human chorionic gonadotropin in early normal and pathologic pregnancy Discordant levels in peripheral maternal blood and blood from the uterine and abdominal cavities

Human chorionic gonadotropin was assayed in 25 cases after first-trimester induced abortion, in 45 cases of spontaneous abortion in the first trimester, and in 27 cases of ectopic pregnancy. Blood was obtained from an antecubital vein and from the uterine cavity. In the cases of ectopic pregnancy blood was also obtained from the abdominal cavity. In the group of induced abortion the human chorionic gonadotropin levels in peripheral maternal blood did not differ significantly from the levels in the uterine cavity. In the groups of spontaneous abortion and ectopic pregnancy the human chorionic gonadotropin levels were significantly higher in blood from the uterine cavity and the abdominal cavity, respectively. In four cases (three with spontaneous abortion and one with an ectopic pregnancy) human chorionic gonadotropin was not detectable in peripheral maternal blood, while it was found in blood from the uterine and abdominal cavities.

Disappearance of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Following Removal of the Fetus and Placenta Left In Situ in a Case of Advanced Abdominal Pregnancy

In a case of abdominal pregnancy, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was determined twice during the first trimester and serially after removal of the fetus and placenta left in situ. From the 5th to the 7th week of gestation, the hCG values increased, from 5980 to 10000 U/I. After operation the hCG level decreased to 197 U/I after 51 days and hCG was not detectable 72 days postoperatively.

Fetal Heart Block, Anti–Ssa and Anti–Ssb Antibodies Association with intra-uterine growth retardation, fetal death and lupus anticoagulant

A case of complete fetal heart block associated with intra‐uterine growth retardation, SSA‐and SSB‐antibodies is presented. The fetus died in utero. Autopsy revealed damage to the fetal cardiac conducting system together with severe placental fibrosis and recent infarctions. These findings and a slightly prolonged activated partial thromboplast in time indicated also the presence of the lupus anticoagulant.