Sexual steroids and monoamine metabolism during gestation

Summary The experiments show influence of progesterone and estradiol on regulation of enzymes of monoamine metabolism, MAO and COMT during pregnancy. Both the hormones inhibit enzymes MAO and COMT in the adrenals when determined at 0 h parturition. Estradiol has stronger inhibitory effect than progesterone. The results provide evidence for important endocrine implication during pregnancy for processes of monoamine regulation.The generous help of Dr.Raynaud of CEA, France is gratefully acknowledged. A.R.B. is pre-doctoral fellow of Paris University.