Quantitative Evaluation of Serum Oestrogen Levels in the Three Trimesters of Pregnancy in Albino Rat.

Abstract

An experimental investigation using DRG Estradiol ELISA Kit to determine the levels of oestrogen in the serum of the first, second and third trimesters of pregnant and non-pregnant albino rats were undertaken. Twenty albino rats were categorized into four different groups of five rats each. Group one (non-pregnant rats) served as the control. Groups two, three and four were pregnant rats in days 7, 14 and 21 of first, second and third trimesters respectively. Blood samples collected from the experimental controls were subjected to ELISA method for the assay of serum oestrogen levels. Results from this study revealed progressive increase in the mean oestrogen levels from 14.68±1.36pg/ml, 16.26±1.22pg/ml and 23.60±1.82pg/ml in the first, second and third trimesters respectively that significantly differed (p< 0.001) from control (9.74±0.50pg/ml). This report furthers supports the relevance of oestrogen in pregnancy.