Higher free testosterone in third trimester was associated with lower
abdominal circumference at birth in boys: Odense Child Cohort.
Abstract
Objective: To investigate programming effects of maternal testosterone
on offspring birth anthropometrics. Design: Population-based prospective
cohort study. Setting: University Hospital. Population: 1,486
mother-child dyads from Odense Child Cohort. Methods: Maternal blood
samples were collected at gestational week 27-30 and free testosterone
(FT) levels were calculated using the Vermeulen equation from total
testosterone (TT) analyzed by mass spectrometry and sex hormone binding
globulin (SHBG). Associations between FT or TT levels and birth
anthropometrics were analyzed with multiple linear regression models
according to offspring sex with adjustment for maternal age, parity,
smoking and educational level. Analyses were repeated with polycystic
ovary syndrome (PCOS) as exposure for offspring birth anthropometrics.
Main outcome measures: Offspring birth weight (BW), birth length,
abdominal- and head circumferences. Results: Maternal mean (SD) age was
30.2 (4.5) years and pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) was 23.5 (5.3)
kg/m2. In boys (n=787), higher FT was associated with lower BW (adjusted
doubling constant=-65.53, p=0.010), shorter birth length (adjusted
doubling constant=-0.43, p<0.001), and lower abdominal
circumference (adjusted doubling constant=-0.39, p<0.001);
Higher TT was associated with lower abdominal circumference (adjusted
doubling constant=-0.25, p=0.028). In girls, no associations were found
between maternal FT or TT and offspring anthropometrics. Conclusions:
Higher maternal free testosterone exposure was linked to reduced birth
weight, length and abdominal circumference in boys, whereas girls were
not susceptible to maternal testosterone exposure.