This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Vreeburg, J. T. M. Articles by Ooms, M. P. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Vreeburg, J. T. M. Articles by Ooms, M. P.

Concentrations of testosterone and androsterone in peripheral and umbilical venous plasma of fetal rats

Summary. Mean ± s.d. testosterone concentrations in the peripheral plasma of 21- and 22-day-old male fetuses (1·32 ± 0·43 ng/ml) were significantly (P < 0·05) higher than those in the umbilical venous plasma (0·37 ± 0·08 ng/ml). Testosterone concentrations in umbilical venous plasma of male and female (0·29 ± 0·06 ng/ml) fetuses and in peripheral plasma of female fetuses (0·36 ± 0·10 ng/ml) were not significantly different. Androsterone levels measured in umbilical venous plasma of male (11·5 ± 2·5 ng/ml) and female (12·3 ± 2·1 ng/ml) fetuses were nearly as high as those in peripheral plasma (males, 12·9 ± 3·1; females, 13·3 ± 3·5 ng/ml). There were high concentrations of androsterone in the placentas of male (33 ± 4 ng/g) and female (33 ± 5 ng/ml) fetuses, suggesting that this organ is the major source of fetal androsterone. We also conclude that a major part of the testosterone present in female fetuses is secreted by the placentas.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. Bodo and E. F. Rissman The Androgen Receptor Is Selectively Involved in Organization of Sexually Dimorphic Social Behaviors in Mice Endocrinology, August 1, 2008; 149(8): 4142 - 4150. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. K. Hotchkiss, C. S. Lambright, J. S. Ostby, L. Parks-Saldutti, J. G. Vandenbergh, and L. E. Gray Jr Prenatal Testosterone Exposure Permanently Masculinizes Anogenital Distance, Nipple Development, and Reproductive Tract Morphology in Female Sprague-Dawley Rats Toxicol. Sci., April 1, 2007; 96(2): 335 - 345. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]