Effect of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate on fetal middle cerebral artery flow velocity waveforms in term pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether bolus injection of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHAS) is associated with changes in fetal middle cerebral artery flow velocity waveforms in term pregnancy.


METHODS
Ten normal full-term pregnant women received the administration of a 200-mg intravenous dose of DHAS in 20 ml of 5% dextrose. Ten normal full term pregnant women received 20 ml 5% dextrose as controls. Color Doppler flow imaging and pulsed Doppler ultrasonographic assessments were made on fetuses in each group before and 10 min, 30 min, 60 min, 90 min. and 120 min after DHAS or dextrose administration. The pulsatility index (PI) values for the middle cerebral artery, and umbilical artery, and fetal heart rate were recorded.


RESULTS
In the DHAS group, middle cerebral artery PI decreased from baseline by 24% (p<.05) after 10 min, and the mean reduction was 22% (p<.05) after 30 min. The PI returned to the baseline value 60 min later. In the control group, there was no change in middle cerebral artery PI. No change was found in umbilical artery PI or fetal heart rate in the control or DHAS group.


CONCLUSIONS
DHAS induces a significant decrease in the fetal middle cerebral artery PI, which suggests a possible decrease in fetal cerebral vascular impedance in term pregnancy.
Hata
T
T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shimane Medical University, Izumo, Japan.
Senoh
D
D
Hata
K
K
Kitao
M
M
Masumura
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects*; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology; D011673:Pulsatile Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000187:drug effects
D000728:Androgens; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone