Androgen Levels in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy in Patients with Preeclampsia

Background: Although the aetiology of pre-eclampsia is not entirely known, numerous theories have been put in relation to its causes.Finding its risk factors is crucial because to its morbid course.However, because to a lack of information regarding its origin, numerous studies have been conducted on a variety of materials in an effort to identify its causes.One of these ideas focuses on the underlying endocrine changes and quantification of different androgens.Objective: This study aimed to compare between androgens level (serum total and free testosterone) in women with preeclampsia and normal ones in the 3 rd trimester of pregnancy (28-40 weeks).Patients and methods: During this study, 80 pregnant women were enrolled in this study.They were divided into two groups: Group A comprised 40 pregnant women in their 3 rd trimester with preeclampsia at the time of admission, whereas group B consisted of 40 healthy normotensive women in their 3 rd trimester who served as control group A with matched maternal age, gestational age, and BMI.Results: Our study revealed that free and total testosterone levels were significantly higher among pre-eclamptic cases compared to healthy women with no differences regarding maternal age, gestational age and fetal sex.Conclusion: Pre-eclamptic women had greater serum androgen levels (free and total testosterones) throughout the 3 rd trimester of pregnancy, this may suggest that androgens have a role in the development of pre-eclampsia.