Pituitary-gonadal function in adolescent males born appropriate or small for gestational age with or without intrauterine growth restriction.
BACKGROUND
Being born small for gestational age (SGA) is suggested to influence female pituitary-gonadal axis, but only a few studies have focused on male pituitary-gonadal function.


OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to evaluate the influence of fetal growth rate on male reproductive function.


METHODS
We conducted a follow-up study of a prospective study with data on third trimester fetal growth velocity and birth weight.


METHODS
The study was conducted at Copenhagen University Hospital.


METHODS
Fifty-two healthy adolescent males participated. They were divided into those born appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and SGA, with or without intrauterine growth restriction.


METHODS
Pubertal stage, testicular size, and reproductive hormones were determined. Overnight 20-min LH and FSH profiles and overnight urine LH and FSH were determined in an additional study (n=30).


RESULTS
No significant differences were found in testosterone levels (19.2 vs. 18.9 nmol/liter), inhibin B levels (186.5 vs. 188.0 pg/ml), or LH/testosterone ratio (0.15 vs. 0.18) between AGA and SGA, respectively. No significant differences in overnight secretory patterns of gonadotropins or testicular size and morphology were determined by ultrasonography between AGA and SGA. Fetal growth velocity did not influence any of the reproductive hormone levels. Overnight urinary LH and FSH excretion correlated statistically significantly with overnight LH (r=0.50; P=0.02) and FSH (r=0.44; P=0.04) secretion, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Poor third trimester growth and/or low birth weight had no effect on subsequent male reproductive hormones. Contrasting a previous study, we found no difference in testosterone or inhibin B levels between SGA and AGA, suggesting that testicular function was not impaired in adolescent males born after compromised fetal growth.
Jensen
Rikke Beck
RB
University Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, Section 5064, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark. rikke.beck@dadlnet.dk
Vielwerth
Signe
S
Larsen
Torben
T
Greisen
Gorm
G
Veldhuis
Johannes
J
Juul
Anders
A
D000293:Adolescent; D001724:Birth Weight; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D047109:Fetal Development; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone