Androgens in the maternal and fetal circulation: association with insulin resistance

Abstract

Objective: To examine maternal insulin resistance in relationship with maternal and fetal androgen levels as well as with term placenta mRNA and protein abundance of steroidogenic enzymes implicated in androgen dynamics. Methods: The study included 20 women with gestational diabetes mellitus and 27 controls tested using a 120 min., 75 g oral glucose tolerance test. Maternal and fetal plasma concentrations of total testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) were measured by high-performance gas chromatography and chemical ionization mass spectrometry at 26.1 ± 3.7 weeks of pregnancy. Results: Glycemic response to oral glucose over 120 min. as well as Matsuda insulin sensitivity and HOMA insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) indices were significantly associated with maternal testosterone levels (r = 0.31, r = −0.37 and r = 0.35 respectively, p ≤ 0.05 for all). Among male offspring, a positive association between maternal and fetal testosterone levels was observed (r = 0.43, p ≤ 0.05). Testosterone levels were higher in the cord blood of newborns from insulin-resistant mothers compared to newborns from insulin-sensitive mothers (0.48 ± 0.36 nmol/L vs. 0.29 ± 0.18 nmol/L p ≤ 0.05). No difference was observed in mRNA abundance or protein expression of placental steroidogenic enzymes according to the degree of maternal insulin resistance. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate a possible association between fetal and maternal androgen concentrations in relationship with insulin resistance.

Keywords::

• Fetal androgens
• maternal androgens
• insulin resistance
• steroidogenic placental enzymes

Acknowledgments

Anne-Sophie Morisset is the recipient of a Canada Graduate Scholarships Doctoral Awards from the Canadian Institute of Health Research. Julie Robitaille is the recipient of a Junior Investigator scholarship from the FRSQ. This work was supported by the Laval University Health Center Foundation and the late André Nadeau MD as well as pilot study grant from the Instituts des nutraceutiques et aliments fonctionnels.

Declaration of Interest: The authors report no conflict of interest.