Abstract |
To evaluate fetal sex-hormonal status before delivery, testosterone and follicle stimulating hormone(FSH)levels were measured in 64 amniotic fluid samples at midgestation by radioimmunoassay method. The mean concentration of testosterone in amniotic fluid of 37 cases carrying male fetus was 90.7pg/ml and 27 cases carrying female fetus was 62.3pg/ml. The mean amniotic fluid FSH concentration of male fetus was 1.15 mIU/ml and of female fetus was 11.98 mIU/ml. The amniotic fluid testoserone and FSH' concentrations had statistical difference between male and female fetuses. The ratio of testosterone over FSH in the amniotic fluid was 231.2 in female, 9.8 in female respetively and very significant difference was noticed. The levels of testosterone/FSH greater than 25 were found over 92% of male fetus and lesser than 25 were found over 92% female fetus. Measurement of testosterone and FSH especially testosterone/FSH ratio in amniotic fluid in midgestation may be an adjunct to other method of fetal sex determination. |