The role of androgens in the aetiology and pathology of pre-eclampsia

Abstract

Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, along with its complications such as prematurity, intrauterine growth retardation, perinatal asphyxia and abruptio placenta, continues to be one of the major causes of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Due to its morbid course, it is necessary to identify those at risk for the illness and take precautions. However, the lack of knowledge about the aetiology makes it difficult to assess risk factors. We studied the role of the serum androgens in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. Ninety severe pre-eclamptic, 10 mild pre-eclamptic and 50 normotensive pregnant women were studied. The patient and control groups' blood total testosterone, free oestriol (FE3), FAI (free androgene index), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and dehydroepiandrostenedione sulphate (DHEA-S) values were compared. The sex, weight, APGAR scores and hospitalisation in the neonatal intensive care unit of the babies were also evaluated. No statistically significant difference in the total testosterone and free oestriol values was found between the groups. SHBG was found to be higher in the pre-eclamptic group, whereas free testosterone and DHEA-S were higher in the normotensive group. Compared to the severe pre-eclamptic group, no difference was found in the total testosterone levels, whereas free testosterone levels were significantly higher in the mild pre-eclamptic group. We reached the opinion that androgens do not play a clinically significant role in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia.