Although much research focuses on hormones during gestation, little is known about the actual hormone concentrations within the fetal surroundings. The aim of this study was to combine all available oestrogen, androgen, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), inhibin, gonadotrophin and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) concentrations during gestation and post partum into graphical representations reporting weighted mean hormone values. A systematic search was performed in Pubmed and Embase from inception to March 2012. Studies were evaluated by two reviewers; manuscripts were included if the actual hormone concentrations were reported together with the gestational age at time of sampling. A total of 97 articles were found eligible for this review. Maternal serum oestrogens, inhibin A, SHBG, androstenedione and testosterone rise during gestation, which is followed by a rapid decline in the post-partum period. For AMH and DHEAS, an inverse relationship is found, while gonadotrophin concentrations are negligible during gestation. For girls cord blood oestriol and post-partum FSH concentrations are higher, while for boys cord blood FSH and neonatal testosterone, inhibin B, LH and AMH concentrations are higher. In conclusion, longitudinally measured endocrine data during gestation and in the peri- and post-natal period are lacking, especially for twin pregnancies.

Chance of resistance to CC is almost double in women with PCOS harbouring the Ser/Ser genotype.

Objective: Little is known about the aetiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Some suggest that elevated maternal androgens during gestation play a causative role. This implies placental passage of androgens during pregnancy. The aim of this study is to compare androgen and estrogen concentrations in maternal serum during pregnancy and in umbilical cord blood, between mothers with PCOS and their offspring compared to controls. Design: Prospective case-control study. Methods: Maternal blood samples were collected around 20 weeks of gestation and at delivery. Umbilical cord blood was also taken at delivery. Androgens (testosterone (T), androstenedione (ADION), dehydroepiandrostenedione (DHEA)) and estrogens (estrone (E 1 ), estradiol (E 2 ), estriol (E 3 )) were measured using the liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methods. Results: At 20 weeks of gestation: T (PZ0.019) and ADION (PZ0.034) were higher in the PCOS mothers (pregnant with a girl), whereas DHEA, E 1 , E 2 , and E 3 were not different. Maternal concentration at birth: T (PZ0.004) and ADION (PZ0.009) were also higher in the subgroup of PCOS mothers that were pregnant with a girl compared to the girl pregnancy controls. DHEA, E 1 , E 2 and E 3 were not different. In umbilical cord blood, no differences were found for T, ADION, DHEA, E 2 , E 3 , and AMH between the PCOS mothers and the controls respectively. E 1 was lower in girls from PCOS mothers (PZ0.007). Conclusions: Despite elevated maternal androgen concentrations during pregnancy in PCOS mothers, offspring showed no signs of elevated androgen concentrations in cord blood at birth using the latest highly specific LC-MS/MS methods.

This study provides normal values for ultrasonographically measured testicular volumes in 0- to 6-year-old boys. Ultrasound is a valid method to measure small pre-pubertal testicles as it is able to detect minor changes in volume in relation to established physiological changes in the first year of life.

All measured hormones are highly heritable. A difference in the FSH-inhibin B feedback system between DZ twin males and MZ twin males could not be confirmed.