FORMATION OF ESTROGENS IN THE FETO-PLACENTAL COMPARTMENTS

Abstract

Labelled dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione were injected into the umbilical vein at cesarean section in the mid trimester, and the formation of estrogens in the feto-placental compartments was investigated. Estrone, estradiol-7β and estriol were formed in this system of these precursors. Radioactive estriol found in the fetal liver was higher in concentration than that in the cord blood or placenta. Estriol was formed from dehydroepiandrosterone more efficiently than androstenedione in the feto-placental unit.The conversion rate to estriol in the maternal urine well correlated with the ratio of estriol formed in the cord blood.Estrogen metabolism during pregnancy was also discussed.