Androgen levels of preeclamptic patients in the third trimester of pregnancy and six weeks after delivery

Background. The aim of this study was to measure the circulating levels of androgens in the third trimester of pregnancy and six weeks after delivery and to discuss androgen contribution in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Methods. Twenty-two preeclamptic and 20 normotensive women completed this prospective study. Blood samples were drawn in the third trimester (28-32 gestational weeks) and six weeks after delivery. Serum total testosterone (T), free testosterone (fr) dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), androstenodione (A), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and estradiol (E-2) levels were measured. The statistical analyses of the data were performed by using Wilcoxon Rank test within the groups, Student unpaired t test and Chi-square test between the groups with the SPSS program. Results. T and fr levels were found to be significantly higher (p <0.05) in preeclamptic women in the third trimester compared to the values of normotensive controls. However, there were significant decreases (p <0.05) in T and fT levels six weeks after delivery, reaching values not significantly different from normotensive subjects (p >0.05). Futhermore, SHBG, DHEAS, A and E-2 levels were not significantly different (p >0.05) between the groups in the third trimester or six weeks after delivery. Conclusion. We conclude that higher blood androgen levels measured in preeclamptic patients may be implicated in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.