Androgen and Anti-Mullerian Hormone Concentrations at Term in Newborns and Their Mothers with and without Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Martina Kollmann,Anna Scheuchenegger,Barbara Obermayer-Pietsch,Elisabeth Lerchbaum,Uwe Lang,Sereina A Herzog,Christian Trummer,Daniela Ulrich,Philipp Klaritsch

doi:10.3390/jcm8111817

Martina Kollmann, Anna Scheuchenegger + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm8111817

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Abstract

Objectives: The aetiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is not particularly mapped; however, a complex interaction of various factors, such as genetic, environmental and intrauterine factors, can be assumed. Experimental animal studies and clinical observations support the hypothesis that developmental programming by excess intrauterine steroid is relevant. The aim of the study was to investigate whether mothers with and without PCOS exhibit different androgen and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels at the end of pregnancy and how maternal hormone levels are reflected in their offspring. Methods: Between March 2013 and December 2015, we performed a prospective cross-sectional study at the Medical University of Graz. We included 79 women with PCOS according to the ESHRE/ASRM 2003 definition and 354 women without PCOS, both with an ongoing pregnancy ≥37 + 0 weeks of gestation, who gave birth in our institution. Primary outcome parameters were the levels of maternal and neonatal androgens (testosterone, free testosterone, androstenedione) and AMH at delivery. Results: Androgen levels in female offspring of PCOS and non-PCOS women at birth did not differ, while maternal hormone levels differed significantly. Androgen levels in PCOS boys were significantly higher when compared to levels in PCOS girls. Discussion: Our findings do not support the hypothesis that maternal androgen excess contributes to elevated androgen concentrations in the female offspring. Nevertheless, the effects of the increased androgen concentrations in mothers on their offspring have to be investigated in future studies.

Highlights

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous endocrine disorder which affects various body systems and leads to reproductive and metabolic complications [1,2,3,4]
The aims of the current study were firstly, to investigate whether mothers with and without PCOS have different androgen and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels and secondly, how maternal hormone levels are reflected in their offspring at birth
A total of 499 pregnant women were assessed for eligibility, and 433 were eventually included for analysis (79 with PCOS according to ESHRE/ASRM 2003 definition and 354 non-PCOS women)

Summary

Introduction

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous endocrine disorder which affects various body systems and leads to reproductive and metabolic complications [1,2,3,4]. The prevalence of PCOS varies depending on ethnicity, body composition and the definition used for diagnosis [5,6,7,8,9,10] It is found in 5–10% of women of reproductive age and in up to 30% of the subgroup with overweight and obesity [9,10]. There are only a few studies reporting on the relationship between maternal androgen and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels during pregnancy and between androgen and AMH levels in the respective offspring in PCOS women, with inconsistent results [30,31,32,33,34,35,36]. The aims of the current study were firstly, to investigate whether mothers with and without PCOS have different androgen and AMH levels and secondly, how maternal hormone levels are reflected in their offspring at birth

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