Early pregnancy testosterone after ovarian stimulation and pregnancy outcome
Ovarian stimulation before conception is associated with significant elevations in first-trimester testosterone. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effect of early pregnancy testosterone on outcomes.
Authors
Stephanie L.F. Gustin, M.D., Gourab Mukherjee, Valerie L. Baker, M.D., Lynn M. Westphal, M.D., Amin A. Milki, M.D., Ruth B. Lathi, M.D.
Volume 97, Issue 1 , Pages 23-27.e1
Abstract
Objective:
To examine early pregnancy (EP) testosterone (T) after ovarian stimulation and its effect on singleton pregnancy outcomes.
Design:
Prospective cohort study.
Setting:
University-based tertiary care center.
Patient(s):
Subfertile women who conceived with or without fertility treatment.
Intervention(s):
Ovarian stimulation for assisted reproduction, collection of serum total T levels in early pregnancy, and pregnancy follow-up.
Main Outcome Measure(s):
Rate of preterm delivery, low birth weight (LBW) (90th percentile), we did not see an increased risk for preterm delivery, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, LBW infants, or cesarean delivery (odds ratio ratios 1.43, 0.38, 1.39, and 0.85, respectively).
Conclusion(s):
Elevations in EP T are associated with ovarian stimulation but do not appear to be associated with adverse pregnancy outcome. Further investigation to determine the etiology of increased maternal and neonatal morbidity among subfertile women is warranted.
Read the full text at: http://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(11)02705-1/fulltext
