Diagnostic performance of basal free cortisol/18-hydroxy-11-deoxycorticosterone (18-OH-DOC) ratio in endogenous depression: comparison with the dexamethasone suppression test.

We assessed the 8:00 AM ratio of free cortisol/18-hydroxy-11-deoxycorticosterone (18-OH-DOC) in 56 endogenous depressive inpatients and in 22 normal volunteers. A ratio higher than 40 was associated with a diagnostic sensitivity for endogenous depression of 75%, a specificity of 95.5%, and a diagnostic confidence of 97.

Changes in fetal and maternal blood levels of prolactin, cortisol, and cortisone during eutocic and dystocic childbirth.

The changes in blood levels of prolactin, total and free cortisol, and cortisone were studied and compared in 51 mother-infant pairs, 30 with eutocic delivery and 21 with dystocic delivery. Regardless of the type of delivery, the newborn at term showed significantly higher prolactin and cortisone serum levels than their mothers, and significantly lower levels of free and total cortisol. In fetal distress of short duration, free cortisol levels were significantly raised in both the mother and the child, while prolactin and cortisone levels were significantly higher only in the child.

[The role of plasma alpha 1-glycoprotein acid in the binding of aminopyrine].

Under certain pathological conditions the binding of various substances by serum proteins is altered. The plasma concentrations of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, also known as orosomucoid are reported to be elevated in stressful situation and in certain disease states like acute myocardial infarction. The binding of aminopyrine to serum proteins and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein was determined using equilibrium dialysis.

A simple, direct radioimmunoassay for salivary progesterone determination during the menstrual cycle.

We describe a direct radioimmunoassay for progesterone in saliva. Results for extracted and unextracted samples agree well, showing that extraction with petroleum ether is unnecessary. The direct assay is specific and accurate, and detects as little as 2 pg of progesterone per tube (12 pmol/L).