Serum Diastase and Its Relation to Estrogen Metabolism in Pregnancy and the Menstrual Cycle1

Diastatic activity was measured in 98 specimens of blood from 22 [female][female] during the last 10 wks. of pregnancy, labor and the puerperium. There were 11 normal pregnancies, 6 cases of pre-eclampsia, 3 eclamptics and 2 cases of fetal death. The findings are compared with changes in estrogen metabolism during these episodes. 29 analyses were performed upon blood from 2 $$ throughout 3 complete menstrual cycles, during 2 of which urinary estrogens were followed. Repeated analyses indicated a rise in serum diastase after the 30th week of normal pregnancy to a peak within 10 days of delivery, a drop just before and during labor, and low values for as long as 1 mo. postpartum. A progressive decrease preceded and accompanied those late pregnancy complications associated with imbalance of the placental hormones, this effect being counteracted by estrogen and progesterone adm. and by self-correction of the steroid deficiency. In normal cycles a rise in serum diastase during the luteal phase reached a peak a, few days before flow. Menstruation was preceded and accompanied by a precipitous drop, as was also, in 2 instances, the probable time of ovulation. In both pregnant and non-pregnant [female][female]. the decreased rate of estrogen degradation which characterizes increased progestin secretion was followed by a rise in serum diastase; whereas a drop in enzymic activity was, associated with urinary evidence of increased estrogen degradation due to progestin withdrawal or deficiency. Possible endocrine interrelationships to account, for these findings are discussed.