Pregnanediol
Definition This is a test that measures the amount of pregnanediol in urine.
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Why is the Test Performed?
This test is usually performed to evaluate suspected problems with the ovaries or adrenal cortex. In the past, before progesterone blood tests, this test was also used to document problems of pregnancy.
Pregnanediol is an inactive product of progesterone metabolism. Urinary pregnanediol is an indirect measure of progesterone levels in the body. In women, progesterone is produced mainly by the corpus luteum following ovulation. Some progesterone is also produced by the adrenal cortex.
During pregnancy, most progesterone is produced by the placenta. The main function of progesterone is probably to increase the secretory phase of endometrial development, during which the uterus is prepared for possible implantation by a fertilized egg. After fertilization, progesterone is necessary for the development and maintenance of the placenta.
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