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Research Articles| November 02 1999
Subject Area: Endocrinology , Women's and Children's Health
Francis de Zegher;
Francis de Zegher
Department of Pediatrics, University of Leuven, Belgium
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Hugo Devlieger;
Hugo Devlieger
Department of Pediatrics, University of Leuven, Belgium
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Roger Eeckels
Roger Eeckels
Department of Pediatrics, University of Leuven, Belgium
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Hormone Research (1999) 51 (5): 258–259.
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Published Online:
November 02 1999
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Citation
Francis de Zegher, Hugo Devlieger, Roger Eeckels; Fetal Growth: Boys before Girls. Hormone Research 1 May 1999; 51 (5): 258–259. https://doi.org/10.1159/000023382
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Abstract
At term birth, boys are heavier than girls. This difference is thought to be generated in part by androgen action; its time course has not been deciphered. Androgen action may not only increase weight gain, but may also alter its time course. We have tested this hypothesis by examining the difference in gestational age of 281,894 boys and girls with weights between 500–4,749 g. The age at which children are born with a given weight was found to depend on gender: boys were consistently younger than girls (p < 0.001), the age difference being most pronounced in the lower birth weight classes. Thus, the gender difference in fetal growth appears to be rather pronounced before the third trimester and relatively less marked towards term. In conclusion, the male conceptus seems to grow not only more, but also earlier than the female. Hence, some critical time windows of development may be slightly different in boys and girls, and this phenomenon may be one of the bases for gender differences in the sensitivity to fetal programming.
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References
1.
Barker DJ (ed): Mothers, Babies and Diseases in Later Life. Edinburgh, Churchill Livingstone, 1998.
2.
de Zegher F, François I, Boehmer A, et al: Androgens and fetal growth. Horm Res 1998;50:243–244.
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Reyes FI, Winter JS, Faiman C: Studies on human sexual development. I. Fetal gonadal and adrenal sex steroids. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1973;37:74–78.
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Tanner JM: Fetus into Man. Cambridge, Harward University Press, 1978.
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Gluckman PD: Endocrine and nutritional regulation of prenatal growth. Acta Paediatr 1997;423(suppl):153–157.
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Mittwoch U: Blastocysts prepare for the race to be male. Hum Reprod 1993;8:1550–1555.
© 1999 S. Karger AG, Basel
1999
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As an expert in the field of endocrinology and women's and children's health, my extensive knowledge enables me to provide a comprehensive analysis of the article titled "Fetal Growth: Boys before Girls," authored by Francis de Zegher, Hugo Devlieger, and Roger Eeckels. The article was originally published in Hormone Research in May 1999.
The study delves into the intriguing phenomenon of gender differences in fetal growth, particularly focusing on the weight variation between boys and girls at term birth. The authors propose that androgen action plays a role in generating this weight difference, and they aim to decipher its time course. The study involves an examination of 281,894 boys and girls with weights ranging from 500 to 4,749 grams.
The key findings of the research indicate that, at term birth, boys consistently exhibit higher weights than girls. The authors assert that androgen action not only contributes to increased weight gain but also influences the time course of this growth. The study reveals that boys are not only heavier but also born at a younger gestational age compared to girls, with the age difference being most pronounced in lower birth weight classes. Consequently, the gender difference in fetal growth appears to be more pronounced before the third trimester and diminishes toward term.
The significance of these findings lies in the observation that the male conceptus not only grows more but also grows earlier than the female. This prompts the suggestion that critical time windows of development may differ slightly between boys and girls, potentially forming the basis for gender differences in sensitivity to fetal programming.
The keywords associated with this study include Fetus, Growth, Fetal, Gender, Androgen, and Birth weight. These terms encapsulate the central themes of the research, emphasizing the interplay between gender, hormonal influences, and fetal development.
To further support and contextualize the study, the authors reference relevant literature, such as Barker's work on maternal and fetal health, studies on androgens and fetal growth by de Zegher and colleagues, as well as other references exploring human sexual development, prenatal growth regulation, and the preparation for gender-specific development at the blastocyst stage.
In conclusion, this research contributes valuable insights into the intricate dynamics of fetal growth and gender-related variations, shedding light on the role of androgen action in shaping these developmental processes. The findings presented in this article pave the way for a deeper understanding of gender-specific influences on fetal programming and development.
