Impaired HSD17B2 Activity and Excess Testosterone Transfer (IMAGE)

Society for the Study of Reproduction

Impaired HSD17B2 Activity and Excess Testosterone Transfer

Caption

Testosterone in maternal plasma, demonstrating elevated levels in response to gestational protein restriction, is transported into placental zones, where part of the testosterone is inactivated by HSD17B2. The rest of the testosterone escapes the inactivation due to the reduced expression of Hsd17b2. Thus, excess testosterone goes into fetal circulation, affecting fetal growth and development and presumably predisposing the development of hypertension in offspring.

Credit

Image concept: C. Yallampalli. Drawing: Alan Sheffield.

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