[Sex differences in correlation coefficient among the cord serum levels of LH-hCG, beta-hCG, FSH, estradiol cortisol and testosterone (author's transl)].

Lutenizing hormone (LH-hCG), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG), estradiol, cortisol and testosterone were determined and correlated with each hormones in 62 cord sera (32 male and 35 female infants). Mean (+/- S.E.)male cord sera cortisol concentrations (36.2 +/- 3.9 ug/dl) were significantly (p less than 0.05) higher than that of female (24.1 +/- 3.7 ug/dl). Another hormones were not found significant sex difference. Regression analysis showed significant positive correlations between LH-hCG (r = 0.525, p less than 0.001) or beta-hCG (r = 0.461, p less than 0.005) levels and FSH levels in all cord sera (N = 67). In male cord sera, there were significant positive correlations between LH-hCG (r = 0.493, p less than 0.01) or beta-hCG (r = 0.485, p less than 0.01) levels and testosterone levels. There was a significant positive correlation (p less than 0.01) between estradiol levels and testosterone levels in female cord sera. These data suggest (1) the sex difference of cortisol levels which indicate the response for the stress during labor and delivery, (2) there was a significant sex difference in the maturation of the feed back mechanism in pituitary-gonadal axis.