VARIATIONS OF SERUM DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE-SULPHATE (DHEAS) LEVEL WITH PREGNANCY, FERTILITY, ABORTION, OVARIAN RESERVE AND ENDOTHELIAL FUNCTIONS

Abstract

Objectives: It was aimed to evaluate the relationship of Dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate(DHEAS) level with pregnancy, fertility, abortion, ovarian reserve and endothelial functions.

Patients and method: Ninety-six fertile women aged 20-35 years whose DHEAS levels were measured and 28 women aged 40-55 years with oligomenorrhea-amenorrhea were included in the study.The DHEAS values of the patients,which were measured at least 12 months apart,were recorded.

Results: The first measured mean DHEAS level was 208.34±119.7ug/dL and the last measured mean DHEAS level was 187.5±101.7ug/dL. Among 28 patients with oligomenorrhea-amenorrhea, the levels of DHEAS increased in 10 patients and decreased in 18 patients. Although the annual decrease in DHEAS levels was greater in those who had pregnancy than in those who had not given birth, the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.085). Although the initial DHEAS level in 5 patients who had an abortion was higher than in those who did not have an abortion, the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.427). The increase in systolic blood pressure was statistically significant in patients with decreased DHEAS levels (p=0.03). While the mean DHEAS level was 85.3±47.3ug/dL in menopausal patients, the DHEAS level was 82.1±49.2ug/dL in non-menopausal patients (p=0.435).

Conclusion: The age at which the DHEAS level reaches its peak level shows individual differences. While pregnancy slows down the decrease in DHEAS levels,abortion accelerates the decrease in DHEAS levels. A decrease in serum DHEAS levels can increase systolic blood pressure.

Keywords: Dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate; abortion menopause; fertility; hypertension; pregnancy.