title: Effect of combined iron therapy (Chemiron) and single iron therapy on the dexamethasone-estriol test effect, on plasma dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate during normal pregnancy.
abstract: It is established that during human pregnancy maternal and fetal serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHAS), which has been shown to arise mainly by adrenal secretion, serves as a substrate in the biosynthesis of placental oestrogen. The conversion to oestrogen is reflected by decreased DHAS and increased oestrogen concentration in the peripheral maternal blood. Impaired uteroplacental perfusion has been shown to play a role in the pathogenesis of some complicated pregnancies with placenta insufficiency. Apart from this, lower oestrogen, magnesium and zinc levels are found in many of these conditions in the third trimester with placenta insufficiency. In this study, we examined the effect of 4 mg Dexamethasone intravenously on dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, since materal cortisol or synthetic corticosteroids cross the placental barrier and inhibit the release of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in fetal adrenals. Dexamethasone was found to suppress dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels in all groups but a significant difference in suppression was found between the Chemiron--a hematinic combination--and the single iron therapy control groups. Our preliminary results showed that Chemiron has a protective effect on the development of placenta insufficiency during the third trimester of pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, Idi-Araba, University of Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: G O
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Ajayi
authors.forename: E O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Fadiran
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004964:Estriol / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010927:Placental Insufficiency / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy