The effects of fetal gender on serum human chorionic gonadotropin and testosterone in normotensive and preeclamptic pregnancies.

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of fetal sex on serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and testosterone in normotensive and preeclamptic pregnancies.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study and 139 women with singleton pregnancies in the third trimester were studied. 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. Data analyzed by SPSS software.

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, resp.) in female-bearing pregnancies testosterone levels were significantly higher in preeclamptic than normotensive mothers (P < 0.001). Total testosterone levels were significantly higher in pregnancies with either gender and significantly higher in mlae-bearing than in female-bearing pregnancies.

Conclusions: According to our results, there is a correlation between maternal serum hCG and testosterone levels and preeclampsia. Therefore these tests can be used as routine during 30-38 weeks of gestation. High maternal serum concentrations of these markers can predict preeclampsia.