[Estrogens and secretion of placental somatomammotropin]

The secretion of placental somatomammotrophin was determined by radioimmunoassay of the hormone in the blood of pregnant women with clinical signs of high risk of abortion in order to evaluate the possible effect of an estrogenic treatment on the placental hormone levels. Daily administration of estradiol valerianate (5 mg) induced in high risk pregnancies a marked increase of somatomammotrophin which reaches normal levels. The results suggest that the estimation of the plasma levels of the hormone, which reflect the function of the placenta, may be of significance not only for the evaluation of the risk of the abortion but also for the control of the effect of the treatment and, possibly, even for the dose adjustment of the pharmacological therapy.