title: Relationship of prolactin and estradiol to human chorionic gonadotropin following molar gestation.
abstract: Serial plasma concentrations of the beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG), prolactin, and estradiol were examined and correlated in 22 women after evacuation of a molar pregnancy for up to 15 weeks into the postmolar phase. The mean levels of prolactin were lower, estradiol levels were higher, and beta-hCG levels were slightly lower but comparable to those reported for women in the first postpartum week. Mean concentrations of all three hormones then declined during the postmolar period; however, beta-hCG remained detectable (greater than or equal to 5 mIU/ml) in some women for up to the fifteenth week, while the nadirs in mean prolactin and mean estradiol levels occurred at 14 and 13 weeks, respectively. The plasma concentrations of beta-hCG correlated with those of prolactin (r = 0.93) and estradiol (r = 0.94), while the levels of the latter two hormones also correlated (r = 0.84).
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006828:Hydatidiform Mole / Q000601:surgery*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D004958:Estradiol; D011388:Prolactin