Androgen levels in the third trimester of pregnancy in patients with preeclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate if testosterone levels are higher in patients with preeclampsia compared to normotensive pregnant patients.


METHODS
The levels of serum total and free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androstenedione and sex hormone binding globulin were estimated in 28 patients during the third trimester of pregnancy with established preeclampsia and 25 normotensive women.


RESULTS
No statistically significant differences were noted between the two groups regarding the maternal age, gestational age, body mass index (BMI) haematocrit and neonatal sex. The mean+/-S.D. total testosterone and free testosterone levels were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in the group with preeclapsia compared to the control group. The values of DHEA-S, androstenedione and sex hormone binding globulin were lower in the group with preeclampsia but the difference did not reach statistical significance.


CONCLUSIONS
The levels of total and free testosterone appear to be higher in patients with preeclampsia compared to normotensive pregnant women during the third trimester of pregnancy. This difference could indicate an involvement of testosterone in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia and stimulates research in the potential role of anti-androgens in the management of preeclampsia.
Salamalekis
Emanouel
E
2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieio Hospital, University of Athens, Vas. Sofias Avenue 76, Athens, Greece. eurotas@panafonet.gr
Bakas
Panagiotis
P
Vitoratos
Nikolaos
N
Eleptheriadis
Makarios
M
Creatsas
Georgios
G
D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood*; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D000728:Androgens; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate