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Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and Testosterone in Normal and Preeclamptic Pregnancies in Relation to Fetal Sex

From the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Biochemical Endocrinology, Haukeland University Hospital, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.

Address reprint requests to: Johan Arnt Steier, MD, IVF Department, Maternity Clinic, Haukeland University Hospital, NO-5021 Bergen, Norway; E-mail: jste{at}haukeland.no.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of fetal gender on serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and testosterone in normotensive and preeclamptic pregnancies.

METHODS: The study consisted of 137 women with singleton pregnancies in the third trimester. Seventy-three pregnancies were uncomplicated; among those were 35 male and 38 female fetuses. Sixty-four pregnancies were complicated by preeclampsia; among those were 33 male and 31 female fetuses. Human chorionic gonadotropin and total testosterone were measured in maternal peripheral blood.

RESULTS: In male-bearing pregnancies, maternal hCG and testosterone serum levels were significantly higher in preeclamptic than normotensive mothers (P < .001). In female-bearing pregnancies, testosterone levels were significantly higher in preeclamptic than normotensive mothers (P < .001), whereas the hCG levels were not significantly different. Male-bearing preeclamptic women had significantly higher testosterone levels than female-bearing preeclamptic women (P < .02), whereas the hCG levels were not significantly different. In uncomplicated pregnancies the hCG levels were significantly higher in female-bearing than in male-bearing mothers (P < .005), whereas the testosterone levels were not significantly different.

CONCLUSION: In preeclamptic pregnancies with male fetuses, the maternal serum hCG levels were significantly higher than in uncomplicated pregnancies. Total testosterone levels were significantly higher in pregnancies with either gender and significantly higher in male-bearing than in female-bearing pregnancies. This may indicate an androgen influence on the pathophysiologic mechanism of preeclampsia.

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