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Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a complication in pregnancy, but studies focused on the steroidome in patients with GDM are not available in the public domain. This article evaluates the steroidome in GDM+ and GDM− women and its changes from 24 weeks (± of gestation) to labor. The study included GDM+ (n = 44) and GDM− women (n = 33), in weeks 24–28, 30–36 of gestation and at labor and mixed umbilical blood after delivery. Steroidomic data (101 steroids quantified by GC-MS/MS) support the concept that the increasing diabetogenic effects with the approaching term are associated with mounting progesterone levels. The GDM+ group showed lower levels of testosterone (due to reduced AKR1C3 activity), estradiol (due to a shift from the HSD17B1 towards HSD17B2 activity), 7-oxygenated androgens (competing with cortisone for HSD11B1 and shifting the balance from diabetogenic cortisol towards the inactive cortisone), reduced activities of SRD5As, and CYP17A1 in the hydroxylase but higher CYP17A1 activity in the lyase step. With the approaching term, the authors found rising activities of CYP3A7, AKR1C1, CYP17A1 in its hydroxylase step, but a decline in its lyase step, rising conjugation of neuroinhibitory and pregnancy-stabilizing steroids and weakening AKR1D1 activity.

Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome is around 25% in Europe but its occurrence grows in both genders with increasing age and weight. Lifestyle factors may contribute to the risk of developing metabolic syndrome. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between metabolic syndrome and eating habits as well as length of sleep and smoking. Participants (519 women and 286 men aged 18–65 years) were chosen by random selection and questioned about their eating habits, sleep length and smoking. This information was combined with anthropometric and clinical parameters of metabolic syndrome. The female group was divided into two subgroups depending on climacteric stage (before and after menopause). Metabolic syndrome prevalence does not differ between regions in neither female (29.9%) nor male (32.5%) group. Body mass index ≥25 was detected in 50.4% of all women and 65.7% of men; 23.5% of all women and 21.7% men had body mass index ≥30. In conclusion, metabolic syndrome prevalence was proved to depend on eating habits and family heredity. Positive correlation between the above mentioned factors demonstrated itself in the total sample but not in individual regions. Metabolic syndrome prevalence in Czech adults is comparable with neighbouring countries. No significant interregional differences in metabolic syndrome prevalence within the Czech Republic were detected. In conclusion, relationship between eating habits and metabolic syndrome was confirmed.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and idiopathic hirsutism (IH) are androgen excess disorders requiring the determination of classic androgen levels for diagnosis. 11-oxygenated androgens have high androgenic potential, yet their clinical value in those disorders is not clear. Additionally, the role of endocrine disruptors (EDs), particularly in IH, remains understudied. We analyzed 25 steroids and 18 EDs in plasma samples from women with IH, PCOS, and controls using LC-MS/MS. Cytokine levels and metabolic parameters were assessed. Comparisons included non-obese women with PCOS (n = 10), women with IH (n = 12) and controls (n = 20), and non-obese versus obese women with PCOS (n = 9). Higher levels of 11-oxygenated androgens were observed in women with PCOS compared to those with IH, but not controls. Conversely, 11-oxygenated androgen levels were lower in women with IH compared to controls. Cytokine levels did not differ between women with IH and controls. Bisphenol A (BPA) levels were higher in obese women with PCOS compared to non-obese women with PCOS. Bisphenol S occurrence was higher in women with PCOS (90%) compared to controls (65%) and IH (50%). Significant correlations were found between androgens (11-ketotestosterone, androstenedione, testosterone) and insulin and HOMA-IR, as well as between immunomodulatory 7-oxygenated metabolites of DHEA and nine interleukins. Our data confirms that PCOS is a multiendocrine gland disorder. Higher BPA levels in obese women might exacerbate metabolic abnormalities. IH was not confirmed as an inflammatory state, and no differences in BPA levels suggest BPA does not play a role in IH pathogenesis.

The fast-track process to approve vaccines against COVID-19 has raised questions about their safety, especially in relation to fertility. Over the last 2 years, studies have appeared monitoring female fertility, especially from assisted reproduction centers or in animal experiments. However, studies monitoring healthy populations are still limited. The aim of our study was to monitor the relevant parameters of female fertility (sex and other steroids, LH, FSH, SHBG, Antimüllerian hormone and antral follicle count) before and then 2–4 months after the third dose of vaccination against COVID-19 in a group of 25 healthy fertile woman. In addition, anti-SARS-CoV-2 and anti-SARS-CoV-2S antibodies were determined. We did not observe significant changes in the measured parameters before and after the third dose of vaccination. By comparing levels of the analytes with antibodies indicating a prior COVID-19 infection, we found that women who had experienced the disease had statistically lower levels of estrone, estradiol, SHBG and 5α-dihydroprogesterone, and conversely, higher levels of androgen active dehydroepiandrosterone and dihydrotestosterone. Our results confirm that vaccination does not affect female fertility, and that what fertile women should be worried about is not vaccination, but rather COVID-19 infection itself.

Steroid hormones have diverse roles in pregnancy; some help stabilise pregnancy and influence the stability of pregnancy and the onset of labour. Changes and disorders in steroidogenesis may be involved in several pregnancy pathologies. To date, only a few studies have performed a very limited steroid analysis in multiple pregnancies. Our teams investigated multiple pregnancies regarding the biosynthesis, transport, and effects of steroids. We recruited two groups of patients: pregnant women with multiple pregnancies as the study group, and a control singleton pregnancies group. Blood samples were drawn from the participants and analysed. Information about the mother, foetus, delivery, and newborn was extracted from medical records. The data were then analysed. The gestational age of twin pregnancies during delivery ranged from 35 + 3 to 39 + 3 weeks, while it was 38 + 1 to 41 + 1 weeks for the controls. Our findings provide answers to questions regarding the steroidome in multiple pregnancies. Results demonstrate differences in the steroidome between singleton and twin pregnancies. These were based on the presence of two placentae and two foetal adrenal glands, both with separate enzymatic activity. Since every newborn was delivered by caesarean section, analysis was not negatively influenced by changes in the steroid metabolome associated with the spontaneous onset of labour.