[Determination of progesterone in serum. Clinical significance in early pregnancy].

The aim of the study was to define the limits of normal and subnormal function of the corpus luteum of pregnancy. Between the 5th and 10th week of gestation blood samples were taken from 149 women and progesterone was measured by RIA. 50 women with normal pregnancies had progesterone values ranged from 10-48 ng/ml (M: 21,9 ng/ml +/- 8,5 sd). 26 women with bleedings in early pregnancy (threatened abortion) had significantly lower progesterone values (M: 17,0 ng/ml +/- 8,3 sd, range: 5-38 ng/ml serum). All 26 pregnancies ended with a living child. The 74 women with complicated early pregnancy showed a wider range: 2-120 ng/ml serum (M: 20,7 ng/ml +/- 15,2 sd). All 74 women delivered a living child. Progesterone serum values below 10 ng/ml prior to 10 weeks of gestation indicate subnormal corpus luteum function. We therefore perform hormone treatment in patients with bleedings in early pregnancy only if subnormal progesterone values are found.