17 Beta-estradiol, progesterone and testosterone in the normal menstrual cycle of Nigerians

Serum Levels of Collectins Are Sustained During Pregnancy: Surfactant Protein D Levels Are Dysregulated Prior to Missed Abortion

About 15% of pregnant women undergo missed abortion (MA), wherein women do not experience cramping and vaginal bleeding. Dysregulation of the immune molecules and steroid hormones contribute to early pregnancy loss. Collectins- surfactant protein A (SP-A), surfactant protein D (SP-D), and mannose-binding lectin (MBL) are a group of innate immune molecules regulated by the steroid hormones. Reduced levels of SP-A and SP-D during the early gestation exhibited a significant association with the severe early onset preeclampsia. In order to determine the serum profile of collectins throughout the normal pregnancy and explore their predictive potential during the 8-12 weeks of gestation for MA, we examined a prospective cohort of pregnant women (n = 221). The serum levels of SP-A and SP-D were significantly downregulated in the normal pregnant women in all the three trimesters (n = 30) compared with the non-pregnant women (n = 20) and were not significantly different across the three trimesters. Fourteen of the women from the cohort underwent MA during the 14-20 weeks of gestation and exhibited a significant downregulation in the serum levels of SP-D during 8-12 weeks of gestation. A significant inhibition of the HTR-8/SVneo cell proliferation and migration in the presence of a recombinant fragment of human SP-D suggested the relevance of SP-D in placental development. We report here that the serum levels of SP-A, SP-D, and MBL are consistently maintained during pregnancy in the Indian cohort. Dysregulated serum levels of SP-D and P4/E2 ratio during the early first trimester may predict occurrence of MA.

Total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and steroid hormone changes in normal weight women during the menstrual cycle

OBJECTIVE

To study total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and steroid changes in normal weight women during the menstrual cycle.

METHOD

Multiple point blood samples obtained at different phases of the menstrual cycle in 14 student nurses, consuming normal Nigerian diets (rich in vegetable based proteins and fiber), were analyzed for HDL cholesterol, total cholesterol and for the steroids progesterone, estradiol and testosterone by RIA.

RESULTS

A multivariate repeated measures analysis was carried out according to Pillais, Hotelings Willes and Roys tests and the three phases of menstrual cycle were found to be significantly different with the significance level at 0.030.

CONCLUSION

The fluctuations in plasma lipids that occur at different phases of the menstrual cycle have important implications in evaluating the factors of coronary heart disease in women of reproductive age. Also, the results suggest that multiple point measurements may give a better estimate of plasma lipid changes in blood in women of reproductive age.