Ovarian function in women immediately post partum.

Ovarian function in pregnant women at term was investigated by obtaining plasma samples from both ovarian veins simultaneously with a peripheral sample from the antecubital vein. All samples were analyzed by radioimmunoassay to determine the concentration of progesterone, estradiol, estrone, androstenedione, testosterone, and human chorionic gonadotropin. The corpus luteum was found to secrete progesterone and not significant amounts of estrogens or androgens. Extraluteal tissue secreted estrogens and androgens and also progesterone. No quantitative relationship was found between the concentrations of human chorionic gonadotropin and any ovarian steroid, and estradiol appeared to be produced from both estrone and testosterone.