P23.02: The effects of fetal gender on serum HCG and testestron in normotensive and preeclamtic pregnancies

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of fetal gender on serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and testosterone in normotensive and preeclamptic pregnancies. Materials and Methods: The study consisted of 139 women with singleton pregnancies in the third trimester. 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. Detailed ultrasonographic structural examinations of the fetuses were performed. 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, respectively) in female-bearing pregnancies testosterone levels were significantly higher in preeclamptic than normotensive mothers (P < 0.001) whereas the hCG levels were not significantly different. Male-bearing preeclamptic women had significantly higher testosterone levels than female-bearing preeclamptic women (P < 0.001) whereas the hCG levels were not significantly different. In uncomplicated pregnancies the hCG levels were significantly higher in female-bearing than in male bearing mothers (P < 0.001). Whereas the testosterone levels were not significantly different. Discussion and Conclusion: In preeclamptic pregnancies with male fetuses, the maternal serum hCG levels were significantly higher than in uncomplicated pregnancies. Total testosterone levels were significantly higher in pregnancies with either gender and significantly higher in male-bearing than in female-bearing pregnancies.