Reproductive hormone concentrations in pregnancy and neonates: a systematic review

Abstract

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.

Development of a molecular recognition based approach for multi-residue extraction of estrogenic endocrine disruptors from biological fluids coupled to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry measurement

“…S1 illustrate an example of serum and urine treated with the developed method. These results are in agreement with previous tendencies reported for the levels of these estrogenic compounds in such biological samples [10,[33][34][35].…”

Measurement of Androgen and Estrogen Concentrations in Cord Blood: Accuracy, Biological Interpretation, and Applications to Understanding Human Behavioral Development

“…The developing fetal endocrine environment is a function of gonadal, adrenal, and placental biosynthesis, metabolism, and biodistribution, modulated by protein binding, biological activity, and receptor affinity (17). The placenta is a highly steroidogenic organ responsible for the production of large amounts of free androgens and estrogens from fetal adrenal and gonadal precursors (18, 19).…”

Spreading the Clinical Window for Diagnosing Fetal-Onset Hypogonadism in Boys

“…Fully functional gonadotropes are present in the fetal male pituitary and secrete luteinizing hormone (LH) from week 12 and Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from week 14 (6). Circulating levels of both gonadotropins increase to attain peak levels by weeks 20–25 and then decrease toward term (7–9). …”

“…Afterward, FSH increases testicular AMH output by inducing Sertoli cell proliferation and AMH transcription following the classic FSH receptor transduction pathway involving protein kinase A and cyclic AMP (10, 11). Sertoli cells also secrete inhibin B, which is present at high levels in the serum of mid-term fetuses and only slightly lower by term (8, 9). Sertoli cells are not directly regulated by androgens during fetal life since they do not express the androgen receptor [reviewed in Ref.…”