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Low Serum Estradiol And High Serum Progesterone Concentrations Characterize Hypertensive Pregnancies At High Altitude., S. Zamudio, Kimberly Leslie, M. White, D. Hagerman, L. Moore

Kimberly K. Leslie

OBJECTIVE: Intrauterine growth retardation and preeclampsia are more common at high than at low altitude. Because altered hormonal profiles have been linked with these disorders, we asked whether placental steroid hormone concentrations were altered during pregnancy at high altitude. METHODS: We measured progesterone, unconjugated estradiol, and estriol (by radioimmunoassay) at weeks 20, 30, and 36 of pregnancy in 18 women at low altitude (1600 m) and 40 women at high altitude (3100 m). RESULTS: Women at 3100 m compared with 1600 m had lower serum estradiol concentrations at week 36 of pregnancy, and lower estriol and higher progesterone concentrations throughout …