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Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology

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Open Access 01-12-2020 | Polycystic Ovary Syndrome | Review

Androgen levels in the fetal cord blood of children born to women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a meta-analysis

Authors: Changling Duan, Tianjiao Pei, Yujing Li, Qi Cao, Hanxiao Chen, Jing Fu

Published in: Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Introduction

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders in reproductive-aged women. It is reported that intrauterine exposure to hyperandrogenism may induce the development of PCOS and associated complications in later life. To analyze the intrauterine androgen levels in infants born to PCOS mothers, we evaluated the androgen levels in fetal cord blood through a meta-analysis of observational studies.

Material and methods

The following online databases were systematically searched: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library databases and Web of Science up to December 2019. Human studies compared cord blood androgen levels, including testosterone (T) and androstenedione (ADION), in fetal cord blood of mothers with and without PCOS. Statistical analysis was performed in Review Manager, Version 5.3, with the inverse variance method based on a random-effects model.

Results

A total of 7 articles were scrutinized and a total of 570 samples including 268 female and 222 male infants were qualified for review. In the mass spectrograph (MS) subgroup, PCOS mothers showed no signs of increased T concentration in umbilical cord blood at birth (4 studies; hazard ratio [HR] = − 0.05; 95% confidence interval [CI] = [− 0.33,0.24]; I² = 7%; P = 0.75; fixed-effects model). ADION level tends to be lower in daughters’ cord blood of PCOS mothers (3 studies; HR = -0.59; 95%CI = [− 1.00, − 0.19]; I² = 0%; P = 0.004; fixed-effects model).

Conclusions

Fetal cord blood T level is not related to PCOS, while ADION levels tend to be lower in the cord blood of daughters born to mothers with PCOS.

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Title: Androgen levels in the fetal cord blood of children born to women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a meta-analysis
Authors: Changling Duan
Tianjiao Pei
Yujing Li
Qi Cao
Hanxiao Chen
Jing Fu
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Testosterone
Androgens
Published in: Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1477-7827
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12958-020-00634-8

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Androgen levels in the fetal cord blood of children born to women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a meta-analysis

Abstract

Introduction

Material and methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Material and methods

Results

Conclusions

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