Sex, age, pubertal development and use of oral contraceptives in relation to serum concentrations of DHEA, DHEAS, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, Δ4-androstenedione, testosterone and their ratios in children, adolescents and young adults

Tue Søeborg, Hanne Frederiksen, Annette Mouritsen, Trine Holm Johannsen, Katharina Maria Main, Niels Jørgensen, Jørgen Holm Petersen, Anna-Maria Andersson, Anders Juul

35 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The influence of sex, age, pubertal development and oral contraceptives on dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA sulfate (DHEAS), 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), Δ4-androstenedione (Adione), testosterone (T), calculated free testosterone (fT), free androgen index (FAI) and selected ratios in 1798 serum samples from healthy children, adolescents and young adults was evaluated. Samples were analyzed by Turboflow-LC-MS/MS. Sex hormone-binding globulin was analyzed by immunoassay. All steroid metabolite concentrations were positively associated with age and pubertal development in both sexes and generally higher in males than in females except for Adione. The pubertal rise in T in males was more pronounced compared to females, reflecting contribution from the testes. Ratios between steroid metabolites varied and depended on sex and age. All ratios were lower during infancy compared to later in life. Use of oral contraceptives significantly lowered serum concentrations of all steroid metabolites, fT, FAI, the 17-OHP/Adione, the Adione/T and the DHEA/Adione ratios, but not the DHEA/DHEAS ratio. We provide reference ranges for DHEA, DHEAS, 17-OHP, Adione, T, fT, FAI and selected ratios in relation to sex, age and pubertal development. Use of oral contraceptives strongly influences adrenal steroidogenesis and should be considered when diagnosing and monitoring treatment of patients with disorders of sex development.

Original languageEnglish
JournalClinica Chimica Acta
Volume437
Pages (from-to)6-13
Number of pages8
ISSN0009-8981
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2014

Keywords

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Androstenedione
  • Biological Markers
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cohort Studies
  • Contraceptives, Oral
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Progesterone
  • Puberty
  • Sex Factors
  • Testosterone
  • Young Adult

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