Growth curves of the fetal prostate based on three-dimensional reconstructions: a correlation with gestational age and maternal testosterone levels.
OBJECTIVE
To create a nomogram of the fetal growth of the human prostate corresponding to gestational age, and to investigate the relationship between the expansive growth of the fetal prostate and the maternal testosterone surge during pregnancy.


METHODS
In all, 27 fetal prostates at 11-40 weeks of gestation, and seven neonatal specimens at 1-20 weeks after birth, were analysed. Serial sections of prostates were immunostained and examined using light microscopy. After modular image acquisition the volumes were calculated using three-dimensional reconstruction. The prostate volumes were correlated with gestational age, and related to reference testosterone levels during pregnancy.


RESULTS
There was exponential growth of the fetal prostate with gestational age. The increasing volume of the prostate during the fetal period corresponded with maternal testosterone levels. In the second trimester there was a significant increase in prostate volume in relation to the bladder. In infants, macroscopically there was an inverse proportion between bladder size and prostate volume.


CONCLUSIONS
Starting from the second trimester there is distinct growth of the fetal prostate, obviously triggered by the maternal testosterone surge. In neonates there is an inversion of the dimensions between bladder and prostate. These results indicating exponential growth of the fetal prostate provide evidence of a gender-related transient infravesical obstruction in human fetuses.
Lunacek
Andreas
A
Department of Paediatric Urology, Medical University Innsbruck, Austria. andreas.lunacek@uibk.ac.at
Oswald
Josef
J
Schwentner
Christian
C
Schlenck
Barbara
B
Horninger
Wolfgang
W
Fritsch
Helga
H
Longato
Stefano
S
Sergi
Consolato
C
Bartsch
Georg
G
Radmayr
Christian
C
D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D049451:Nomograms; D011247:Pregnancy; D011467:Prostate / Q000196:embryology* / Q000473:pathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000151:congenital* / Q000473:pathology; D014718:Vesico-Ureteral Reflux / Q000151:congenital* / Q000473:pathology
D013739:Testosterone