Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology (CEOG) is published by IMR Press from Volume 47 Issue 1 (2020). Previous articles were published by another publisher on a subscription basis, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with S.O.G.
Effect of combined iron therapy (Chemiron®) and single iron therapy on the dexamethasone-estriol test effect, on plasma dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate during normal pregnancy
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 oestrogen concentration in the peripheral maternal blood. In this study, we examined the effect of 4 mg Dexamethasone intravenously on dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, since maternal 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.