Journal of Nippon Medical School: Vol.69 No.4 page.342

Journal of Nippon Medical School

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ArticleTitle The Current Perception Thresholds In Normal Pregnancy

AuthorList Shoichi Watanabe, Yasuo Otsubo and Tsutomu Araki

Affiliation Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nippon Medical School

Language EN

Volume 69

Issue 4

Year 2002

Page 342-346

Received January 7, 2002

Accepted January 29, 2002

Keywords pregnancy, current perception thresholds, 17β-estradiol, progesterone

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate a quantitative analysis of the nociceptive threshold, using the current perception threshold (CPT), in women with normal pregnancies and to assess the relationship between nociceptive thresholds and ovarian sex steroids. The subjects consisted of 10 women with singleton pregnancies and 14 age-matched healthy female volunteers. The CPTs (5,250, and 2,000 Hz) of the dominant ankle section were determined with a Neurometer CPT/C (Neurotron, Baltimore, MD). Blood samples were collected after these examinations, and the total 17β-estradiol (E₂) and progesterone concentrations in sera were measured. The present findings clearly indicated that the CPTs at 2,000 Hz in women at term in normal pregnancies were significantly higher than those in nonpregnant women (p <0.05). At 5 and 250 Hz, there was no significant difference between pregnant and nonpregnant women. While there was also no significant correlation between CPT and E₂, and progesterone, there was significant correlation between CPT and the ratio of 17 β-estradiol/progesterone (E₂/P) at 2,000 Hz (p <0.05, r="0.67)." We suggest from these data that changes in pressure sensitivity occur at term in pregnancy, and that other factors, possibly stimulated by both E₂ and progesterone, may play an important role in this change.

Correspondence to Shoichi Watanabe, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Omiya Chuo Sogo Hospital, 1-227 Higashionari, Saitama-shi, Saitama 330-8621, Japan
syo-evo6@tc4.so-net.ac.jp

ArticleTitle	The Current Perception Thresholds In Normal Pregnancy
AuthorList	Shoichi Watanabe, Yasuo Otsubo and Tsutomu Araki
Affiliation	Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nippon Medical School
Language	EN
Volume	69
Issue	4
Year	2002
Page	342-346
Received	January 7, 2002
Accepted	January 29, 2002
Keywords	pregnancy, current perception thresholds, 17β-estradiol, progesterone
Abstract	The purpose of this study was to evaluate a quantitative analysis of the nociceptive threshold, using the current perception threshold (CPT), in women with normal pregnancies and to assess the relationship between nociceptive thresholds and ovarian sex steroids. The subjects consisted of 10 women with singleton pregnancies and 14 age-matched healthy female volunteers. The CPTs (5,250, and 2,000 Hz) of the dominant ankle section were determined with a Neurometer CPT/C (Neurotron, Baltimore, MD). Blood samples were collected after these examinations, and the total 17β-estradiol (E₂) and progesterone concentrations in sera were measured. The present findings clearly indicated that the CPTs at 2,000 Hz in women at term in normal pregnancies were significantly higher than those in nonpregnant women (p <0.05). At 5 and 250 Hz, there was no significant difference between pregnant and nonpregnant women. While there was also no significant correlation between CPT and E₂, and progesterone, there was significant correlation between CPT and the ratio of 17 β-estradiol/progesterone (E₂/P) at 2,000 Hz (p <0.05, r="0.67)." We suggest from these data that changes in pressure sensitivity occur at term in pregnancy, and that other factors, possibly stimulated by both E₂ and progesterone, may play an important role in this change.
Correspondence to	Shoichi Watanabe, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Omiya Chuo Sogo Hospital, 1-227 Higashionari, Saitama-shi, Saitama 330-8621, Japan syo-evo6@tc4.so-net.ac.jp