Reproduction Abstracts

Introduction: Hypothalamo–pituitary–testicular feedback is intact in the ovine fetus. Exogenous testosterone suppresses fetal LH and testicular steroidogenesis to maintain normal circulating testosterone concentrations. INSL3 is a non-steroidal hormone secreted by the fetal testis whose roles include facilitating testicular descent. We hypothesised that the homeostatic response to increased androgens would have a detrimental effect on fetal INSL3 expression....

Introduction: Overexposure to androgens during fetal life creates offspring with a polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)-like phenotype. Whether this phenotype is attributable to androgens during fetal life, or estrogens via maternal/placental metabolism, remains uncertain. The potential for in utero steroidal disruption of adrenal development and function is also unclear. We have examined the adrenal during development and adulthood in response to in utero androg...

Introduction: Maternal androgen excess in pregnant sheep programmes a PCOS-like phenotype in female offspring. We previously demonstrated a hyperinsulinaemic offspring phenotype in response to maternal androgen excess, but such regimens also increase estradiol concentrations, and may effect adrenal steroidogenesis, hence the role of androgens remains unclear.Materials and Methods: To examine contributions of different steroid classes, and to determine if...