36 



FEMALE BITTERLING 



we give the average luteidin concentration per 3 ml urine in 

 750 ml water (expressed in A.U. ) of a number of non- 

 pregnant women. In this, the cycles have been reduced to 

 one of 28 days. It appears that there is a decrease in luteidin 

 concentration towards the end of menstruation. From the 

 6th until the loth day there is a slight rise. At about the 

 time of ovulation the degree of concentration remains con- 

 stant. From the i6th to the 25th day the concentration 

 increases almost continuously until a maximum is reached. 

 From the 25th- to the 28th day it falls again. On comparing 

 this secretion-curve with that of the gonadotrophic hormone 

 (Zondek, 193 i ), and that of the follicular hormone (SMITH 

 C.S., 1938; SiEBKE, 1930; Frank c.s., Pedersen-Bjer- 

 GAARD, 1936; Palmer, I937-'8), it will be seen that it is 

 characteristic. The same applies to that of the secretion-curve 

 obtained with pregnanediol (VENNING c.s., 1936) and male 

 hormone (Laqueur, 1936). 



According to KaNTER, BaUER, and KLAWANS (1934), 

 the ovipositor test might be used for pregnancy diagnosis. 

 In order to verify this we examined the urine of 1 1 2 preg- 

 nant women. The luteidin concentration in 3 ml of urine 

 per 750 ml water, taking an average of all the months of 

 pregnancy, is shown in Fig. 41. In the second month of 



A.U. 



luteidin concentration during pregnancy 



Q months 



Fig. 41. Average monthly luteidin concentration per 3 ml urine of a 



number of pregnant women, showing the degree of concentration to 



remain practically constant all through pregnancy. 



pregnancy it does not differ much from that in the last 

 month. It therefore remains almost constant during the entire 



