Time course of the serum gonadotropin surge, inhibins, and anti-Müllerian hormone in normal newborn males during the first month of life.
BACKGROUND
Newborns with ambiguous genitalia or males with nonpalpable gonads usually require an early assessment of the presence and functional state of testicular tissue.


OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to characterize the precise ontogeny of the serum patterns of gonadotropins, testosterone, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), and inhibins in normal newborn boys.


METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional and longitudinal study.


METHODS
Serum samples were obtained in 57 boys and 13 girls on d 2 of life. A second sample was obtained on d 7, 10, 15, 20, and 30 (boys) and on d 30 (girls).


METHODS
Serum levels of gonadotropins, testosterone, AMH, and inhibins were measured.


RESULTS
In males, LH and FSH were undetectable or very low on d 2. By d 7, LH increased to 3.94 +/- 3.19 IU/liter (mean +/- sd) and FSH to 2.04 +/- 1.67 IU/liter. LH/FSH ratios were 0.40 +/- 0.11 (d 2) and 2.02 +/- 0.20 (d 30). AMH rose from 371 +/- 168 pmol/liter (d 2) to 699 +/- 245 pmol/liter (d 30), and inhibin B rose from 214 +/- 86 ng/liter (d 2) to 361 +/- 93 ng/liter (d 30). The inhibin alpha-subunit precursor (pro-alphaC) remained stable during the first month of life. Testosterone levels were 66 +/- 42 ng/dl (d 2), 82 +/- 24 ng/dl (d 20), and 210 +/- 130 ng/dl (d 30). A sexual dimorphism was observed in AMH and inhibin B (lower in girls on d 2 and 30), in LH/FSH ratio (lower in girls on d 30) and in testosterone (lower in girls on d 30).


CONCLUSIONS
Sertoli cell markers AMH and inhibin B are the earliest useful markers indicating the existence of normal testicular tissue.
Bergadá
Ignacio
I
Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas, División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños R. Gutiérrez, Gallo 1330, C1425EFD Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Milani
Carlos
C
Bedecarrás
Patricia
P
Andreone
Luz
L
Ropelato
M Gabriela
MG
Gottlieb
Silvia
S
Bergadá
César
C
Campo
Stella
S
Rey
Rodolfo A
RA
D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000097:blood*; D013735:Testicular Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D006023:Glycoproteins; D011498:Protein Precursors; D013735:Testicular Hormones; C422364:inhibin B; C095971:inhibin-alpha subunit precursor; D013739:Testosterone; D007265:Inhibins; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone