title: The effects of fetal gender on serum human chorionic gonadotropin and testosterone in normotensive and preeclamptic pregnancies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of fetal sex on serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and testosterone in normotensive and preeclamptic pregnancies.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a cross-sectional study and 139 women with singleton pregnancies in the third trimester were studied. Seventy-one pregnancies were uncomplicated; among those were 35 male and 36 female fetuses. Sixty-eight pregnancies were complicated by preeclampsia; among those were 35 male and 33 female fetuses. Human chorionic gonadotropin and total testosterone were measured in maternal peripheral blood. Data analyzed by SPSS software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In male-bearing pregnancies, maternal hCG and testosterone serum levels were significantly higher in preeclamptic than normotensive mothers (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, resp.) in female-bearing pregnancies testosterone levels were significantly higher in preeclamptic than normotensive mothers (P < 0.001). Total testosterone levels were significantly higher in pregnancies with either gender and significantly higher in mlae-bearing than in female-bearing pregnancies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to our results, there is a correlation between maternal serum hCG and testosterone levels and preeclampsia. Therefore these tests can be used as routine during 30-38 weeks of gestation. High maternal serum concentrations of these markers can predict preeclampsia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Asali Hospital, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Lorestan, Iran. nahid442000@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Nahid
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lorzadeh
authors.forename: Sirous
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kazemirad
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third / Q000097:blood*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D013739:Testosterone