Plasma Testosterone and Progesterone Titers of Pregnant Rats, Their Male and Female Fetuses, and Neonatal Offspring*
Abstract
Testosterone and progesterone titers were determined by RIA in the plasma of pregnant rats and their male and female fetuses from day 17 of gestation through the day of birth and in male and female neonates on days 3 and 5 post partum. Males had significantly higher mean testosterone levels than females from day 18 of gestation through day 5 post partum. Sex differences in plasma testosterone concentrations were greatest in the fetuses on days 18 and 19 of gestation when testosterone levels peaked in the males. Instances in which female fetuses had testosterone titers equal to or greater than their male littermates were found on every day of gestation except day 18. Mean testosterone concentrations in plasma of female fetuses were high throughout gestation (greater than 1000 pcg/ml). Testosterone concentrations decreased in both sexes after birth. Differences between the sexes remained significant, and although there was an overlap in the values for males and females, testosterone concentrations in females exceeded those of their male littermates in only one out of nine pairs of samples on day 5 and in none of seven pairs on day 3 post partum. There were no significant differences in progesterone levels in plasma of males and females, either pre- or postnatally. Progesterone titers changed as a function of days post conception in both the fetuses and their mothers. In the fetuses, progesterone levels declined progressively from day 18 post conception through the day of birth,…
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Male and female rodents have approximately equivalent levels of circulating progesterone during development.
“Indeed, male and female rodents have approximately equivalent levels of circulating progesterone during development [4, 5].”
From Sex-specific effects of neonatal progestin receptor antagonism on juvenile social play behavior in rats (2021) · cites this paper as [5]
Even during the critical window, developing female fetuses have significant testosterone concentrations in many tissues, including those critical for the developing reproductive system.
“However, even during this critical window, developing female fetuses have significant testosterone concentrations in many differ- ent tissues, including those critical for the developing reproductive system (Baum et al. 1991; Houtsmuller et al. 1995; Weisz and Ward 1980).”
From Androgens and environmental antiandrogens affect reproductive development and play behavior in the Sprague-Dawley rat. (2002) · cites this paper as Weisz and Ward 1980
In fetal rats, males and females have similar androgen content during much of gestation.
“Quantitative examination of androgens in fetal rats shows that males and females have similar androgen content during much of gestation (Baum et al. 1991; Weisz and Ward 1980).”
From Androgens and environmental antiandrogens affect reproductive development and play behavior in the Sprague-Dawley rat. (2002) · cites this paper as Weisz and Ward 1980
In several cases, individual female concentrations of testosterone are within the range experienced by males.
“In several cases, individual female concentrations of testosterone are within the range experienced by males (Hotchkiss et al. 2000; Weisz and Ward 1980).”
From Androgens and environmental antiandrogens affect reproductive development and play behavior in the Sprague-Dawley rat. (2002) · cites this paper as Weisz and Ward 1980
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“N IH -PA Author M anuscript N IH -PA Author M anuscript circulating levels of progesterone around 1.5 - 2 ng/ml (Auger and Vanzo, 2006;Andersen et al., 2004), compared to a range of 3 - 35 ng/ml in females that is seen throughout the rat estrus cycle (Weisz and Ward, 1980).”
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- Authors
- WEISZ, J., & WARD, I. L.
- Affiliations
- Pennsylvania State University (US)
- Venue
- Endocrinology
- Publisher
- The Endocrine Society
- Published
- 1980-01
- Volume
- 106
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 306-316
- ISSN
- 0013-7227 (ISSN-L)
- 1945-7170
- OpenAlex
- W1996011857
- Cited by
- 830
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 20 · 2017: 21 · 2016: 25 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 16 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 27
- FWCI
- 8.43
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Endocrinology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Sexual Differentiation and Disorders
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic and Clinical Aspects of Sex Determination and Chromosomal Abnormalities
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Sperm and Testicular Function
- Keywords
- testosterone, progesterone, fetal sex differences, prenatal testosterone exposure, masculinization, critical period, fetal brain development, pregnancy, sex differences in hormone levels, rats
- MeSH terms
- Aging, Animals, Animals, Newborn, Female, Fetal Blood, Fetus, Male, Pregnancy, Pregnancy, Animal, Progesterone, Radioimmunoassay, Sex Factors, Testosterone, Rats
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