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Correlation of Serum 3-Androstanediol Glucuronide with Acne and Chest Hair Density in Men

Divisions of Dermatology (D.P.L., N.E.) and Endocrinology (R.J.S.), Department of Medicine, and the Department of Medicine/Pathology (L.M.D.), Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033

Address requests for reprints to: Dr. Donald P. Lookingbill, Department of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania State University, P.O. Box 850, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033.

Serum 3-androstanediol glucuronide (3-Adiol-G) is considered to be an indicator of peripheral tissue androgen metabolism. Precursor circulating androgens are converted in peripheral tissue to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is ultimately metabolized to 3-Adiol-G and secreted from the cell. Elevated serum 3-Adiol-G concentrations have been reported in women in hyperandrogenic states. We studied 44 consecutive male medical students for chest hair density, acne, and serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), total testosterone (total T), free and albumin-bound (bioavailable) T (bio T), and 3-Adiol-G concentrations. Although there was considerable overlap of serum 3-Adiol-G values among the groups defined by hair density or acne scores, we found statistically significant correlations between serum 3-Adiol-G and chest hairiness (P = 0.0034), acne (P = 0.0005), and a combined chest hairiness and acne score (P = 0.0018). There was no significant correlation between these clinical parameters and the levels of precursor androgens. There was, however, a strong correlation between serum 3-Adiol-G and bio T (P = 0.0005), suggesting that in men serum 3-Adiol-G levels may be dependent upon available free and albumin-bound T. The correlations in men of serum 3-Adiol-G with chest hair density, acne, and the hairiness and acne index supports the hypothesis that the serum levels of 3-Adiol-G reflect the extent of androgen action in peripheral tissues.

^* Present address: 66 Baribeau Drive, Brunswick, Maine.

Received March 3, 1988.

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