Androgens in fetal pigs in relation to sex of neighbour(s).
Concentrations of androgens in blood and/or fetal fluids were determined in pig fetuses 35, 56/58 and 115 days of age. For each fetus the sex of its neighbour(s) in utero was determined. Irrespective of the sex of neighbour(s), no significant differences in testosterone levels were found between the different groups of females, or between the different groups of males. When females and males were compared, significant differences were found. At a fetal age of 35 days testosterone concentrations (mean and SD) in amniotic fluid were 0.17 +/- 0.06 and 0.26 +/- 0.05 nmol/l in females and males, respectively (p less than 0.01). At a fetal age of 56/58 days, the corresponding values were 0.14 +/- 0.04 and 0.21 +/- 0.07 nmol/l (p less than 0.01). At this age testosterone concentrations in mixed umbilical blood plasma were 0.22 +/- 0.08 in females and 1.12 +/- 0.64 nmol/l in males (p less than 0.001). At term the mean concentrations of testosterone were 2.4 and 2.5 nmol/l in mixed umbilical blood plasma and 1.6 and 1.7 nmol/l in fetal fluid in females and males, respectively. The levels of dehydroepiandrosterone in fetal fluid at this stage were 1.6 nmol/l in females and 1.7 nmol/l in males. Concentrations of dihydrotestosterone were below the sensitivity level of the method (less than 0.09 nmol/l) in all samples tested. It is concluded that male neighbours do not influence the androgen levels in blood plasma and fetal fluids of the females.
Framstad
T
T
Department of Physiology and Nutrition, Norwegian College of Veterinary Medicine, Aker Hospital, Oslo.
Grønset
D
D
Norman
N
N
Velle
W
W
D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000032:analysis; D000728:Androgens / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000032:analysis; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013552:Swine / Q000378:metabolism*
D000728:Androgens