PLACENTAL PASSAGE OF 17-HYDROXYCORTICOSTEROIDS: COMPARISON OF THE LEVELS IN MATERNAL AND FETAL PLASMA AND EFFECT OF ACTH AND HYDROCORTISONE ADMINISTRATION 1

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Abstract
Levels of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in maternal and fetal plasma were higher in cases of vaginal delivery than in cases of "elective, repeat cesarean", but in all instances the maternal values were 2-5 times higher than fetal ones. Infusion of 25 mg of ACTH over a period of 6 hours to mothers just prior to an "elective, repeat cesarean" produced a normal increase of the maternal levels; intravenous administration of hydrocortisone demonstrated that, near the end of gestation, this steroid can go through the "placental barrier" but in a definite proportion. From the data presented, it is suggested that, at term, little or no 17-hydroxycorticosteroids are produced by either the fetal adrenals or the fetal side of the placenta.