Endocrine Abstracts

JOINT1208

Background: Maternal free testosterone (FT) in 3rd trimester is higher in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) compared to women without PCOS. In Odense Child Cohort, maternal FT was inversely associated with handgrip strength in boys and girls at age 5 years. Furthermore, higher maternal FT was associated with more body fat in boys at 7 years of age.

Aim: To investigate associations between 3rd trimester FT in women with and without PCOS and child physical activity engagement and isometric muscle strength at 7 years of age.

Hypothesis: Children exposed to higher maternal FT exhibit less physical activity engagement and reduced isometric muscle strength, with possible sexual dimorphism.

Methods: In the prospective Odense Child Cohort, Denmark, 146 of 976 mothers (9%) had a PCOS diagnosis during pregnancy. Maternal FT was calculated from total testosterone analyzed by mass spectrometry and sex hormone binding glubulin measured at gestational weeks 28-30. In their 7-year-old children, we assessed physical activity engagement by 24-hour/7-days accelerometers (n = 695, counts/min (overall activity volume) and time spent in light/moderate/vigorous physical activity), and isometric muscle strength (n = 976, Newton/kg bodyweight), measured by maximal voluntary contraction of the abdomen. Multiple linear regression models were adjusted for maternal age, parity, educational level and accelerometer non-wear.

Results: In boys, maternal PCOS in pregnancy was associated with less overall physical activity engagement, with 265 fewer counts/min on weekends (p=0.02) and 154 fewer counts/min on all days (weekend and weekdays) (p=0.04), whereas no association was found on weekdays. Maternal PCOS was also associated with less moderate (β=-6.7 min/day, p=0.05), vigorous (β=-6.3 min/day, p=0.03) and moderate-vigorous physical activity (β=-12 min/day, p=0.03) on weekends. Maternal FT was not associated with isometric muscle strength in boys. In girls, maternal PCOS was not associated with physical activity engagement. However, one nmol/l increase in maternal FT was associated with an 8.5 Newton/kg bodyweight decrease in isometric muscle strength (p=0.003).

Conclusion: Boys born of mothers with PCOS had less physical activity in weekends. In girls, prenatal exposure to higher 3^rd trimester FT was linked to lower isometric muscle strength.