Abstract
The distribution of plasma values of sexual steroids is log normal during the menstrual cycle (Kletzky et al. 1975). After log transformation of simultaneously determined salivary (SP) and plasma progesterone (PP) values, we found a significant correlation between SP and PP in 69 healthy adolescents (r=0.562,p<0.001). Chronologic age (CA) was 10.6.-21.4, bone age (BA) 10.5-18years. This series comprises girls with ovulatory (follicular-FP-and luteal phase-LP) and anovulatory cycles, premenarchal girls and patients with familial tall stature before and after hormonal treatment. For the whole group, the relation between the transformed data was y=0.03459±1.43085× (y=PP,x=SP). With respect to the FP period, the coefficient of correlation between SP and PP was r=0.432 (n=58, p<0.001). The equation was y=4.05524±0.51879×. Considering the progesterone levels in the LP only, the correlation between SP and PP was r=0.783 (n=11, p<0.01) The regression equation was y=3.49863±1.14611×. Provisional normal ranges for SP and PP during the ovulatory cycles were provided by data from 6 regularly menstruating girls (CA 13-21.4, BA 13-18, gynecologic age 0.3-7 yrs; cycle length 26-35 days). The Wilcoxon test for pair differences was significant between progesterone in FP and LP (SP p<0.05,PPp<0.001). Conclusion: Knowing the cycle length, longitudinal analyses of SP are suited to characterise phase and type of a cycle. Because of the high correlation it is possible to calculate PP during LP based on SP.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sorgo, W., Saur, G., Zachmann, M. et al. Salivary and Plasma Progesterone in Female Adolescents. Pediatr Res 18, 1230 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198411000-00175
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198411000-00175