Summary
To determine if normal balance is restored to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
after pregnancy, we compared the dexamethasone suppressibility of plasma cortisol
in women four days after delivery of their infant, with that of nonpregnant women.
Plasma concentrations of cortisol before dexamethasone administration were similar
in the post-partum women and in women taking oestrogen contraceptives, but both were
higher than in normally cycling women. After dexamethasone, plasma cortisol in the
post-partum women was significantly higher than in both oestrogen-taking and normally
cycling nonpregnant women. The reduced dexamethasone-suppressibility of plasma cortisol,
which is characteristic of pregnancy, extends into the post-partum period.
Key-Words
Plasma Cortisol
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Suppressibility
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Pregnancy
