Plasma progesterone and aldosterone in pregnancy.

Plasma progesterone, aldosterone and renin activity were measured simultaneously in seven women during normal pregnancy. Beginning at the 2nd trimester and until approximately 4 weeks before delivery there was a constant increase in plasma progesterone concentration. There was a significant correlation between weight gain and duration of pregnancy and between weight gain and plasma progesterone concentration. There was also an increase in plasma aldosterone concentration although this was less consistent than that of progesterone. And there was a significant correlation between plasma progesterone and aldosterone concentrations and between the progesterone/aldosterone ratio and duration of pregnancy and weight gain.