SERUM LEVELS OF THE PREGNANCY-ZONE PROTEIN DURING SHORT-TERM PRENATAL DEXAMETHASONE THERAPY

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 60  (2) , 161-164
Abstract
Pregnancy zone protein (PZP) is a pregnancy associated .alpha.2-glycoprotein (14), with immunosuppressive properties described both in vivo and in vitro. The serum concentration of the (PZP) was followed in 5 patients treated with dexamethasone [for premature infant respiratory distress syndrome] (12 mg/day for 1 wk) in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. The serum PZP concentration decreased significantly to an average of 58% of the pretreatment levels. The simultaneous change in serum estriol levels during treatment and other factors of possible importance for the serum PZP concentration are discussed.