RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SEX OF THE FOETUS AND THE AMOUNT OF HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN IN PLACENTAE FROM THE 10TH TO THE 20TH WEEK OF PREGNANCY

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Abstract
SUMMARY: Sixty-seven placentae were obtained by abdominal hysterotomy, between the 10th and 20th weeks of pregnancy, from women who had had a therapeutic abortion. Human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) in extracts from these placentae was assayed by a biological and a radioimmunological method. When the concentration and total amount of HCG in placentae was related to the sex of the foetus no significant difference between 'male' and 'female' placentae was found. This is contrary to findings at term when there is a significant (P < 0·005) difference in the concentration of HCG/g and/placenta in 'male' and 'female' placentae. The amount of biologically active HCG in 'female' placentae significantly increased but was unchanged in 'male' placentae when the periods 10–20 and 37–41 weeks were compared. Similarly, the amount of immunologically active HCG in 'female' placentae was unchanged but in 'male' placentae it decreased. The possible reasons for the different results obtained with the biological and the radioimmunological assays are discussed.

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