Abstract:

Objective To study the level and the action of E₂,P and CRH in the onset of premature delivery;and investigate the effects of E₂,P and CRH on premature delivery and the relationship among E₂,P and CRH.Methods 63 pregnant women of threatened prematurity were enrolled as the threatened prematurity group,60 normal pregnant women are selected as normal pregnant group.Three milliliters of venous blood were taken from all of the women. The levels of E₂,P were detected by radioimmunoassay,CRH by fluoroimmunoassay.Results 1) In the third trimester,the CRH concentration in maternal plasma increased with advanced gestation.The E₂ level had little change.However,the P concentration came to the peak at the 31～32 menstrual weeks,then,it fell down markedly. 2) In the 29～30,(31～)32,33～34,(35～)36 menstrual weeks the CRH,P levels in threatened prematurity groups were significantly different with normal pregnancy(P<0.01).In the 29～30 menstrual weeks,the E₂ level was not significant(P=0.648);and so did 31～32 weeks E₂ level((P=)0.298);in the 33～34,35～36 menstrual weeks,the E₂ levels in threatened prematurity groups were significantly higher than normal pregnancy(P<0.01,(P<)(0.05)).3) The CRH, E₂ levels of premature delivery groups were much higher than continuous pregnancy(P<0.01),however,the P level was much lower than continuous pregnant group(P<0.05).Conclusion 1) CRH maybe an important factor in onset of delivery.2) The maternal plasma CRH plays an important role in preterm delivery.Abnormally elevated level of CRH can predict preterm labor.3) In premature delivery P is much more important than E₂.

Key words: premature delivery, E₂, P, corticotropin-releasing hormone(CRH)