Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Elevated serum concentrations of androgens in women with pregnancy-induced hypertension

Erhöhte Serumkonzentrationen von Androgenen bei Frauen mit gestationsbedingter Hypertonie

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Zusammenfassung

Verändertes Steroidhormon-profil scheint in der Pathophysiologie der gestationsbedingten Hypertonie involviert zu sein. Ziel dieser Studie war die Evaluierung der Serumkonzentrationen von Testosteron (T), Dihydrotestosteron (DHT), Androstendion (AN) und Dehydroepiandrostendionsulfat (DHEAS) von Frauen mit gestationsbedingter Hypertonie im Vergleich zu normotensiven schwangeren Frauen. Weiters hinterfragten wir den Zusammenhang zwischen erhöhten Androgenserumkonzentrationen und der Entwicklung einer schweren Form der Hypertonie. Die Androgenserumkonzentration wurde bei 40 Frauen mit gestationsbedingter Hypertonie und 40 normotensiven schwangeren Frauen, gematched mit der Schwangerschaftswoche, mittels Enzyme linked immunosorbent Assays bestimmt. Mit einer multivariaten, logistischen Regressionsanalyse wurde der Einfluss der Androgenserumkonzentration auf das Auftreten der Hypertonie und die Entwicklung einer schweren Form der Hypertonie erhoben. Bei Frauen mit gestationsbedingter Hypertonie war die mediane Serumkonzentration von Androstendion und Testosteron im Vergleich zur Kontrollgruppe signifikant erhöht (6,3 und 5,0 ng/ml bzw. 1,8 und 1,1 ng/ml, p=0,005 und p=0,04). Die Differenz zwischen den medianen Serumkonzentrationen von DHT und DHEAS bei Frauen mit gestationsbedingter Hypertonie und der Kontrollgruppe war nicht signifikant. Erhöhte Serumkonzentrationen von Androstendion zeigten einen signifikanten Zusammenhang auf das Auftreten der gestationsbedingten Hypertonie und der Entwicklung einer schweren Form der Erkrankung (p=0,043 und p=0,014). Unsere Studie zeigt erhöhte Serumkonzentrationen von Androstendion und Testosteron bei Frauen mit gestationsbedingter Hypertonie. Zusätzlich scheint eine erhöhte Serumkonzentration von Androstendion bei der Entstehung einer schweren Form der Hypertonie von Bedeutung zu sein.

Summary

Alterations of steroid hormone profiles have been suggested to be involved in the pathophysiology of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). The aim of our study was first to investigate serum concentrations of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrostenedione sulfate in women with PIH and normotensive pregnant women and secondly to evaluate an association between elevated serum concentrations of androgens and the development of severe disease. Serum concentrations of androgens were measured in 40 patients with PIH and 40 normotensive pregnant women, matched for gestational age, determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the influence of elevated serum concentrations of androgens on the occurrence of PIH and the development of severe disease. The median serum concentrations of androstenedione and testosterone were significantly elevated in women with PIH compared to controls (6.3 and 5.0 ng/ml, 1.8 and 1.1 ng/ml, p=0.005 and p=0.04, respectively). the difference between the median serum concentrations of dihydrotestosterone and dehydroepiandrostenedione sulfate in women with PIH and controls was not significant. Elevated serum concentrations of androstenedione revealed a significant influence on the odds of presenting with PIH (p=0.043) and were significantly associated with the development of severe disease (p=0.014). Women with PIH have elevated serum concentrations of androstenedione and testosterone. Moreover, elevated serum concentrations of androstenedione are associated with development of severe disease.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Diamant YZ, Rimon E, Evron S (1982) High incidence of preeclamptic toxemia in patients with polycystic ovarian disease. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 14: 199–204

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Homburg R (1996) Polycystic ovary syndrome-from gynecological curiosity to multisystem endocrinopathy. Hum Reprod 11: 29–39

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. de Vries MJ, Dekker GA, Schoemaker J (1998) Higher risk of preeclampsia in the polycystic ovary syndrome. A case control study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 76: 91–95

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Rodin A, Thakkar H, Taylor N, Clayton R (1994) Hyperandrogenism in polycystic ovary syndrome. Evidence of dysregulation of 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. N Engl J Med 17: 460–465

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Gindoff PR, Jewelewicz R (1987) Polycystic ovarian disease. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am 14: 931–953

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Polderman KH, Stehouwer CD, van Kamp GJ, Dekker GA, Verheugt FW, Gooren LJ (1993) Influence of sex hormones on plasma endothelin concentrations. Ann Intern Med 118: 429–432

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Ferenchick GS, Hirokawa S, Mammen EF, Schwartz KA (1995) Anabolic-androgenic steroid abuse in weight lifters: evidence for activation of the hemostatic system. Am J Hematol 49: 282–288

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Ajayi AA, Mathur R, Halushka PV (1995) Testosterone increases human platelet thromboxane A2 receptor density and aggregation responses. Circulation 91: 2742–2747

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Mizuno Y, Lobotsky J, Lloyd CW, Kobayashi T, Murasawa Y (1968) Plasma androstenedione and testosterone during pregnancy and newborn. J Endocrinol 28: 1133–1142

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Martin JD, Hahnel ME, Hahnel R (1986) Plasma androstendione in normotensive and hypertensive pregnancy. Steroids 48: 315–329

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Laivuori H, Kaaja R, Rutanen EM, Viinikka L, Ylikorkala O (1998) Evidence of high circulating testosterone in women with prior preeclampsia. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 83: 344–347

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Acromite MT, Manntzoros CS, Leach RE, Hurwitz J, Dorey LG (1999) Androgens in preeclampsia. Am J Obstet Gynecol 180: 60–63

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Serin IS, Kula M, Basbug M, Unluhizarci K, Gucer S, Tayyar M (2001) Androgen levels of preeclamptic patients in the third trimester of pregnancy and six weeks after delivery. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 80: 1009–1113

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. ACOG und International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy (ACOG, Technical Bulletin) (1996) Hypertension Pregnancy 219 (January 1996)

  15. Zeisler H, Jirecek S, Hohlagschwandtner M, Knöfler M, Tempfer C, Livingston JC (2002) Concentrations of estrogens in patients with preeclampsia. Wien Klin Wochenschr 114: 458–461

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Zeisler H, Sator MO, Joura EA (2000) Serum levels of progesterone in patients with preeclampsia. Wien Klin Wochenschr 112: 362–364

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Wolf M, Sandler L, Munoz K, Hsu K, Ecker JL, Thadhani R (2002) First trimester insulin resistance and subsequent preeclampsia: a prospective study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 87: 1563–156

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, A-1090, Vienna, Austria

    Stefan Jirecek, Elmar A. Joura, Clemens Tempfer, Martin Knöfler, Peter Husslein & Harald Zeisler M.D.

Authors
  1. Stefan Jirecek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Elmar A. Joura
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Clemens Tempfer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Martin Knöfler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Peter Husslein
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Harald Zeisler M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Harald Zeisler M.D..

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jirecek, S., Joura, E.A., Tempfer, C. et al. Elevated serum concentrations of androgens in women with pregnancy-induced hypertension. Wien Klin Wochenschr 115, 162–166 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03040303

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03040303

Schlüsselwörter

Key words

Search

Navigation