title: Inhibition of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the sow near term: effects on fetal and maternal steroids and on delivery.
abstract: The effect of Epostane, a 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inhibitor, on maternal and fetal plasma progesterone and other steroids has been investigated in chronically catheterized pregnant sows near term. Epostane (1-2 mg/kg) was given i.v. and samples withdrawn from the uterine vein and artery and a fetal artery. In seven sows tested at 106-110 d gestation (term 115 d) Epostane induced parturition 25 +/- 2.1 h later with the birth of live viable young (group 1). In four sows tested with the same dose of Epostane at 106-111 d gestation parturition was not induced (group 2). A rapid drop in maternal and fetal plasma progesterone occurred after Epostane; in group 1 maternal progesterone remained below 4 ng/ml until delivery whereas in group 2 the drop was temporary, as was the decrease in fetal progesterone in all animals. Epostane also resulted in a rapid fall in maternal and fetal plasma cortisol with a gradual recovery over the following 9-12 h which was accompanied by increased ACTH (adrenocorticotrophic hormone) levels in the fetus. In group 1 fetuses a further escalation in both cortisol and ACTH occurred up to and during delivery while in group 2 basal concentrations were restored after 24 h. Epostane also reduced maternal oestrone concentrations in both groups over the 6-9 h after drug treatment. In group 2 the basal oestrone concentrations and the oestrone/progesterone ratio before and after Epostane administration were lower than in group 1 which may in part explain the failure of Epostane to induce labour in the former despite their similar gestational age. It is concluded that Epostane is not a reliable inducing agent in the sow when infused within 5-10 d of term although enhanced adrenocortical activity probably ensures the viability of the piglets if delivered.
authors.affiliation: Physiological Laboratory, Cambridge.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Silver
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Fowden
mesh_terms: D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D000737:Androstenols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D004970:Estrone / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000032:analysis; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D007751:Labor, Induced; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000378:metabolism*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood*; D012016:Reference Values; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D000737:Androstenols; D004970:Estrone; D011374:Progesterone; C046855:epostane; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D006854:Hydrocortisone