Description
The steroid hormone progesterone is a key modulator of normal reproductive functions which include ovulation, uterine and mammary gland development and the neurobehavioral expression associated with sexual responsiveness. The physiological effects of progesterone are mediated by interactions of the hormone with two specific intracellular progesterone receptors. Activation of progesterone receptor-A is both necessary and sufficient for the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy but elicits reduced mammary gland morphogenic responses to hormonal stimulation relative to PR-B. In contrast, PR-B activation is insufficient to support female fertility but is a potent proliferative mediator in the mammary gland and, in the uterus.
Indications
Increased progesterone levels are seen in congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase, 17α-hydroxylase and 11β-hydroxylase deficiency, lipoid ovarian tumours, molar pregnancies, theca lutein cysts and chorioepithelioma of ovaries. Decreased progesterone levels are seen in threatened abortion, primary or secondary hypogonadism and short luteal phase syndrome.
Sample Type, Quantity & Conditions
1 ml Serum 1 ml Li-Heparin or K2, K3-EDTA Plasma Stability: 1 Day at 20-25 °C 5 Days at 2-8 °C 6 Months at -20 °C
Special Precautions
State day of cycle. Freeze only once.
Normal Range
Female Follicular Phase: 0.06-0.89 ng/mL 0.181-2.84 nmol/L Female Ovulation Phase: 0.12-12.0 ng/mL 0.385-38.1 nmol/L Female Luteal Phase: 1.83-23.9 ng/mL 5.82-75.9 nmol/L Female Postmenopause: < 0.01-0.13 ng/mL < 0.159-0.40 nmol/L Male: < 0.05-0.15 ng/mL < 0.159-0.47 nmol/L
