Serum androgen levels in women with pre-eclampsia

Objective: To evaluate androgen levels in women with Pre-eclampsia and to elucidate the effect of androgen on the pathogenesis of the disease. Methods: Serum testosterone,free testosterone index,dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate,sex hormone binding globulin,estradiol and insulin levels were measured in 30 normal pregnant women(control group) and 24 patients with Pre-eclampsia. Results: Total testosterone levels,free testosterone index(FTI)were significantly higher in the Pre-eclampsia group than the control group.Serum insulin levels and INS/SG in the Pre-eclampsia group were higher than those in the control group.Serum sex hormone binding globulin levels in the Pre-eclampsia group were lower than those in the control group.There were no significant differences in dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate,neonatal sex distribution and estradiol concentrations between the two groups. Conclusion: Androgen testosterone levels were significantly elevated in pregnant women in Pre-eclampsia,which may be related to the insulin resistance mechanism.Androgen may play a role in the pathogenesis of Pre-eclampsia.