Testosterone levels in pregnant women correlate with the insulin response during the glucose tolerance test.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association between insulin/insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) systems and androgen levels in pregnancy.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
Yale University School of Medicine.


METHODS
Pregnant women undergoing a 100-gram 3-hour glucose tolerance test (GTT).


METHODS
Serum samples collected during GTT were analyzed for insulin, androgens, free IGF-I, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IGFBP) 1, and estriol.


METHODS
Observing the relationship between insulin/IGFs and androgen levels.


RESULTS
The insulin area under the curve (I(AUC)) during GTT correlated positively with total T and free T, but not with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), or estriol. The peak insulin values (I(max)) during GTT also correlated positively with total T and free T, but not with DHEA, DHEAS, or estriol. There was no statistically significant correlation of T levels with free IGF-I, IGFBP-1, glucose, DHEAS, or estriol. Multiple linear regression analysis modeling showed that I(AUC) and I(max) did have a statistically significant correlation with free T levels.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates for the first time that I(AUC) and I(max) measured in hyperinsulinemic states such as pregnancy correlate with T levels. In view of the lack of correlation between insulin and DHEAS or estriol, insulin-related T production during pregnancy is likely of ovarian origin.
Dokras
Anuja
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, USA. anuja-dokras@uiowa.edu
Spaczynski
Robert Z
RZ
Behrman
Harold R
HR
Duleba
Antoni J
AJ
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000097:blood; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood; D004964:Estriol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1 / Q000097:blood; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1; D013739:Testosterone; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D004964:Estriol