Luteal function in ectopic pregnancy.

Human chorionic gonadotropin, estradiol, progesterone, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone have been measured in the serum of 46 patients with ectopic pregnancy. All these hormones were significantly lower than in normal pregnancy. Unruptured ectopic pregnancy differed from the ruptured state by a lower serum human chorionic gonadotropin concentration, a slower human chorionic gonadotropin increment, a higher incidence of metrorrhagia, and an earlier diagnosis. The concentration of estradiol, progesterone, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone in the serum of patients with ectopic pregnancy was lower than could be expected from the decrease of human chorionic gonadotropin, often lower than in a normal luteal phase. It is suggested that, as long as ultrasonography fails to show an intrauterine pregnancy, the simultaneous determination of serum human chorionic gonadotropin and progesterone could aid in the early diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy and in the improvement of subsequent fertility; to that regard any progesterone level below 15 ng/ml in the presence of detectable amounts of human chorionic gonadotropin is highly suggestive of either a threatened abortion or an ectopic pregnancy, whatever the gestational age.