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Fetal Adrenal Gland Maturation in Growth-Retarded Twin Pregnancies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2014

R.J. Norman  and
S.M. Joubert
R.J. Norman*
Affiliation:
Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Natal, Congella, South Africa
S.M. Joubert
Affiliation:
Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Natal, Congella, South Africa
*
Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, P.O. Box 17039, Congella 4013, Durban, South Africa

Abstract

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Twenty-two twin pregnancies each with one growth-retarded and one normal twin fetus were examined to determine the effects of fetal growth retardation on the maturation of the adrenal gland with respect to cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS). The growth-retarded twin fetuses (IUGR) had lower umbilical arterial concentrations of DHEAS than their siblings (IUGR 5.25 ± 2.4; non-IUGR 6.51 ± 2.9 μmol/l; p < 0.01), whereas cortisol concentrations were not statistically different (no labor, IUGR 1,134 ± 751, non-IUGR 1,140 ± 958 μmol/l; labor IUGR 2,062 ± 929, non-IUGR 1,609 ± 469 μmol/l). These data suggest that while the definitive zone of the fetal adrenal is as well-developed as in non-growth-retarded twins, the fetal zone shows reduced secretory capacity of Δ5-steroids. This supports the hypothesis that in growth retardation the adrenal gland shows features of increased maturation.

Keywords

Growth retardationMultiple pregnancyTwinsCortisolDehydroepiandrosterone sulphateFetal adrenal gland
Type
Research Article
Information
Acta geneticae medicae et gemellologiae: twin research , Volume 31 , Issue 3-4: Special Issue on Twin Pregnancies , July 1982 , pp. 259 - 262
Copyright
Copyright © The International Society for Twin Studies 1982

References

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