title: [Hormonal dynamics during pregnancy: critical discussion and clinical interpretations].
abstract: Although the clinical interpretation of its results varies greatly among perinatologists, the dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) loading test has become an integral part of fetal monitoring in many centres dealing with high-risk pregnancies. Currently four main metabolic responses to administration of DHEA-S to the mother are monitored to predict the functional state of the fetoplacental unit: the metabolic clearance of DHEA-S, the metabolic clearance of DHEA-S into estradiol, the conversion of DHEA-S into estradiol or esterol, and the increase in the plasma concentrations of DHEA and androstenedione after administration of DHEA-S. This article critically reviews each of these responses and its possible clinical interpretation, and assesses the clinical future of the DHEA-S loading test.
mesh_terms: D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D004953:Estetrol / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004958:Estradiol / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010925:Placental Function Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D013429:Sulfatases / Q000172:deficiency
chemical_list: D000735:Androstenedione; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D013429:Sulfatases; D004953:Estetrol
vernacular_title: Explorations hormonales dynamiques durant la grossesse: critique et interprétations cliniques.