ANALYZING SERUM PROGESTERONE LEVEL IN INDIAN WOMEN DURING THIRD TRIMESTERS OF NORMAL PREGNANCY AT REFERENCE INTERVALS

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background: During pregnancy, the hormonal environment becomes a vital predictor for both fetus and mother. To predict feto-maternal outcomes, a specific concentration of hormones measured during each trimester can serve as a reliable predictor.

Aim: The present study was conducted to assess the reference range of progesterone assay particular to a trimester in healthy pregnant females of India.

Methodology: In 138 healthy pregnant females from all three trimesters of pregnancy were included in the study. Progesterone levels were assessed from the serum of included subjects using ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay).

Results: On assessing the progesterone range and interval in different trimesters of pregnancy in the study females, it was seen that in females during the first trimester of pregnancy, the upper limit for progesterone was 93.07, in 2^nd trimester the upper limit was 247.65, and for the third trimester, the upper limit was 908.85 ng/ml. The respective confidence interval for the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd trimester was 73.11-119.04, 181.90-333.90, and 745.04-1084.22. The lower limit for progesterone in the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy was 5.47, 6.55, and 95.54 ng/ml. The respective confidence interval for the lower limit in the first, second, and third trimester of pregnancy was 4.45-6.93, 5.20-8.59, and 80.22-117.47 respectively in the study subjects.

Conclusion: The present study concludes that a marked difference is seen between the established reference range of progesterone to the values seen in healthy Indian females. The results of the present study have shown a gradual increase in levels of serum progesterone during pregnancy.