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Fecal Glucocorticoid Analysis: Non-invasive Adrenal Monitoring in Equids
Published on: April 25, 2016
Fetal plasma testosterone correlates positively with cortisol
1Wolfson and Weston Research Centre for Family Health, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK.
Insights
Fetal testosterone levels are influenced by maternal testosterone and fetal cortisol. Higher fetal testosterone was observed in males and increased with gestational age in females, unlike in adults.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Developmental Biology
- Reproductive Health
Background:
- Fetal testosterone exposure is linked to childhood behavior programming.
- Determinants of fetal testosterone concentrations remain largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the relationship between fetal testosterone and maternal/fetal cortisol levels.
- Explore sex-specific differences in these hormonal correlations.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed blood samples from 44 human fetuses (15-38 weeks gestation) and paired maternal samples.
- Measured fetal and maternal testosterone and cortisol concentrations.
Main Results:
- Male fetuses exhibited higher testosterone levels than females.
- Fetal testosterone positively correlated with fetal cortisol and maternal testosterone.
- Maternal testosterone and fetal cortisol independently predicted fetal testosterone.
Conclusions:
- In fetal development, a positive correlation exists between testosterone and cortisol.
- This contrasts with adult physiology where cortisol often inhibits testosterone production.
Background:
Fetal exposure to testosterone has been implicated in programming childhood behaviour, but little is known about the determinants of fetal testosterone concentrations.
Aims:
To investigate the relation between fetal testosterone and maternal and fetal cortisol.
Methods:
Clinically indicated blood samples taken from 44 human fetuses (mean gestational age 27 weeks, range 15-38), together with paired maternal samples, were analysed for testosterone and cortisol concentrations.
Results:
Male fetuses had significantly higher concentrations of testosterone than females. Female but not male fetal concentrations rose significantly with gestational age. Fetal testosterone correlated positively with both fetal cortisol and maternal testosterone concentrations. Multiple regression showed that maternal testosterone and fetal cortisol were independently correlated with fetal plasma testosterone in both sexes.
Conclusion:
Unlike the norm in the adult, where testosterone production is often inhibited by cortisol, in the fetus there is a positive link between the two.
