Actions of salbutamol in late pregnancy. Serum levels of human chorionic gonadotrophin, human placental lactogen, total oestriol and progesterone in diabetic and non-diabetic women during infusion of salbutamol

Abstract

The acute effects of salbutamol on the serum levels of hPL, hCG, oestriol and progesterone in diabetic and non-diabetic pregnant women in the last trimester were studied. I.V. administration of salbutamol in an increasing dose from 0 to 22.5 ug/min caused no change in hPL or hCG levels in any group. Progesterone showed a significant fall after 40 min in the diabetic group and a less pronounced, although still significant fall after 80 min in the non-diabetic group. The oestriol levels increased significantly after 40 min in the diabetic group while no significant change was noted in the non-diabetic group. It is speculated that the effects in the diabetic women might be explained by a redistribution of the available placental 5-pregnenolone due to an increased fetal conversion into oestriol. This might be due to an increased sensitivity of the adrenal cortex of these foetuses to a supposed stimulatory effect of salbutamol.