Quantification of corticosteroid binding globulin by electroimmunoassay during human pregnancy

Endocrine disease in pregnancy

Endocrine disease is common in pregnancy. Most pre-existing endocrine conditions, if well controlled, have little impact on maternal or fetal morbidity. Uncontrolled endocrine conditions in pregnancy, whether poorly controlled pre-conception or newly diagnosed, are associated with a variety of adverse fetal outcomes and maternal morbidity. Also, transplacental transfer of maternal antibodies can have adverse fetal or neonatal consequences. The initial diagnosis of many conditions is hindered by the overlap of symptoms that occur in normal pregnancy and those that suggest specific endocrine pathologies, and also by the changes in reference ranges for common biochemical measurements that occur as a result of physiological changes in pregnancy. This article summarises the common endocrine disorders in pregnancy and describes how pregnancy can alter their investigation, treatment and ongoing management, as well as the potential effects on the fetus.

Regulation of plasma corticosteroid-binding globulin in adult cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) during different reproductive states

The plasma concentration of the corticosteroid-binding globulin (mCBG) has been measured in Macaca fascicularis, during different stages of reproduction and under hormonal treatments. The mCBG level was determined by a specific electroimmunoassay. There was no difference between females in the follicular phase and intact males; mCBG concentrations were respectively (mean +/- SEM) 469 +/- 53 and 443 +/- 25.6 nmol/l. The mCBG levels levels were similar during both the luteal (469 +/- 33.5 nmol/l) and the follicular phase (469 +/- 53 nmol/l). Compared to intact males, the mCBG levels were higher (P less than 0.05) in castrated males (527 +/- 6.6 nmol/l). During gestation, no systematic variations were found and the mCBG levels were not statistically different from the values found during the follicular phase. When estradiol benzoate was administered to castrated animals, the mCBG concentrations increased rapidly. In contrast, the values were reduced slightly by testosterone treatment. The sex-steroid action on the mCBG levels was discussed and compared with the mSBP levels. We question also, the mechanisms involved in the regulation of the mCBG levels during pregnancy.

Non-separation radioassay for cortisol binding capacity in human serum

A radioassay for the measurement of cortisol binding capacity in human serum was developed and the results validated by radioimmunoassay of serum corticosteroid binding globulin. The mini-scale method is simple, reliable and rapid, and avoids separation of partitioned phases. The linear correlation between the free cortisol index and free cortisol concentration as calculated by the two methods utilizing serum samples with normal and abnormal protein concentrations was r = 0.962 (n = 114, p less than 0.001) and the regression equation was y = 3.516 x - 2.632. The technique requires no preparation of reagents, and the assay can be performed in 45 minutes using 0.05 ml of serum or plasma.