Fetal gender-specific difference for placental volume assessed with 3D-ultrasonography

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fetal gender in placental volume and the placental mean gray value assessed by three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography. Methods: This case-control prospective study consisted of 60 healthy singleton pregnancies, 29 of which were male fetuses and 31 of which were female fetuses, matched for gestational age, maternal age and parity. Placental volume and placental volumetric mean gray values were evaluated. Umbilical artery (UA) and fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) Doppler indices were calculated. Results: Placental volume was 296.93±108.08 and 399.12±135.08 cm in male and female groups, respectively (p=0.012). Mean gray value of the placenta was 39.68±7.83 and 39.27±7.22 in male and female groups, respectively (p=0.863). UA pulsatility index (PI) was 1.03±0.21 and 1.00±0.24 in male and female groups (p=0.761) and MCA PI was 1.84±0.85 and 2.16±0.67 in male and female groups, respectively (p=0.197). Correlation analysis revealed that placental volume was not correlated with the fetal weight at the time of delivery (r=0.224, p=0.164). There was negative significant relation between placental volume and UA PI (r=-0.401, p=0.006). Conclusion: Female fetuses have larger placental volumes which may contribute to get better results through the adverse maternal environmental conditions.