South African runner Caster Semenya will have to wait until the end of April to get a verdict in her challenge of IAAF rules seeking to control naturally high testosterone levels in female athletes.

The delay announced Thursday by the Court of Arbitration for Sports could have potential consequences for Semenya and other female athletes who would be forced to medicate ahead of the world championships in September if she loses her appeal.

The court had last month set a target of next Tuesday for a verdict — six months and one day before Semenya is due to begin defending her 800-meter title at the world championships in Doha, Qatar. The IAAF's proposed rules require female runners to medically control their natural testosterone for at least six months before running in top-tier middle-distance races.

The complex case was the subject of an unprecedented five-day appeal hearing last month in Lausanne, Switzerland.

"The parties have filed additional submissions and materials and agreed to postpone (the verdict)," the court said in a statement.