Plasma cAMP in normal and abnormal human pregnancy.

Plasma cAMP was determined using the method of Tovey et al. in normal pregnant women with a mean concentration of 18.9 +/- 0.8 pmol/ml (x- +/- SEM). Between weeks 9-12 and 33-36 of gestation, there were two peaks, with a mean cAMP of 22.5 +/- 2.4 which were significantly increased in comparison to the other weeks of pregnancy. Significantly decreased values were found in patients with threatened abortion (weeks 12-28) which terminated in abortion (11.6 +/- 2.4; p < 0.01). In premature labor no differences were found. During therapy with fenoterol there were highly significantly increased plasma cAMP levels (48.2 +/- 2.8; p < 0.0005). During thyroid hormone therapy in euthyroid goiter, cAMP was significantly decreased (14.0 +/- 1.4; p < 0.05). 1 week after cessation of therapy a highly significant increase of cAMP was observed (38.2 +/- 6.9; p < 0.0005). There was a negative linear regression between T3 and cAMP (2p < 0.01). In pregnancy with hypertension cAMP was significantly elevated (30.5 +/- 3.8 p < 0.0005), but nearly normal under antihypertensive therapy. In pregnancy with edema only, no difference was found. Induction of labor with PGE2 alpha was followed by a decrease of plasma cAMP.