Hypercortisolism and the Resistance to Dexamethasone Suppression during Gestation

EMI ODAGIRI; NAOKO ISHIWATARI; YUJI ABE; KAZUKO JIBIKI; TOMOKO ADACHI; REIKO DEMURA; HIROSHI DEMURA; KAZUO SHIZUME

doi:10.1507/endocrj1954.35.685

EMI ODAGIRI, NAOKO ISHIWATARI, YUJI ABE, KAZUKO JIBIKI, TOMOKO ADACHI, REIKO DEMURA, HIROSHI DEMURA, KAZUO SHIZUME

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JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

1988 Volume 35 Issue 5 Pages 685-690

DOI https://doi.org/10.1507/endocrj1954.35.685

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Abstract

Maternal adrenocortical function was studied by measuring plasma cortisol and urinary free cortisol during gestation. Changes in suppressibility of pituitary-adrenocortical function were determined by dexamethasone administration. Urinary free cortisol as well as plasma cortisol increased during the course of gestation. The suppressibility by dexamethasone became less effective as pregnancy advanced. These results suggest that pregnant women have pituitary-adrenocortical hyperfunction and tissue refractoriness to glucocorticoid which increases during the course of gestation.

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