| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
Reproductive Endocrinology |
Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, CHUL Research Center, Le Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, and Laval University, Québec, G1V 4G2, Canada
Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Fernand Labrie, Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, CHUL Research Center, 2705 Laurier Boulevard, Québec (Québec), G1V 4G2, Canada.
The present data show a dramatic decline in the circulating levels of
dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA-sulfate (DHEA-S),
androst-5-ene-3ß,17ß-diol (5-diol), 5-diol-sulfate, 5-diol-fatty
acid esters, and androstenedione in both men and women between the ages
of 2080 yr. In the 50- to 60-yr-old group, serum DHEA decreased by
74% and 70% from its peak values in 20- to 30-yr-old men and women,
respectively. The serum concentrations of the conjugated metabolites of
dihydrotestosterone (DHT), namely androsterone (ADT)-G,
androstane-3
,17ß-diol (3
-diol-G), androstane-3ß,17ß-diol
(3ß-diol-G), and ADT-sulfate are the most reliable parameters of the
total androgen pool in both men and women, whereas serum testosterone
and DHT can be used as markers of testicular secretion in men and
interstitial ovarian secretion in women. The serum concentration of
these various conjugated androgen metabolites decreased by 40.8% to
72.8% between the 20- to 30-yr-old and 70- to 80-yr-old age groups in
men and women, respectively, thus suggesting a parallel decrease in the
total androgen pool with age. As estimated by measurement of the
circulating levels of these conjugated metabolites of DHT, it is
noteworthy that women produce approximately 66% of the total androgens
found in men. In women, most of these androgens originate from the
transformation of DHEA and DHEA-S into testosterone and DHT in
peripheral intracrine tissues, whereas in men the testes and DHEA and
DHEA-S provide approximately equal amounts of androgens at the age of
5060 yr. An additional potentially highly significant observation is
that the majority of the marked decline in circulating adrenal
C19 steroids and their resulting androgen metabolites takes
place between the age groups of 20- to 30-yr olds and 50- to
60-yr-olds, with smaller changes are observed after the age of 60 yr.
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
S. Khosla, S. Amin, and E. Orwoll Osteoporosis in Men Endocr. Rev., June 1, 2008; 29(4): 441 - 464. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. R. Davis, S. M. Shah, D. P. McKenzie, J. Kulkarni, S. L. Davison, and R. J. Bell Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate Levels Are Associated with More Favorable Cognitive Function in Women J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., March 1, 2008; 93(3): 801 - 808. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
I. Boger-Megiddo, N. S. Weiss, M. J. Barnett, G. E. Goodman, and C. Chen V89L Polymorphism of the 5{alpha}-Reductase Type II Gene (SRD5A2), Endogenous Sex Hormones, and Prostate Cancer Risk Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., February 1, 2008; 17(2): 286 - 291. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
P. Roy, M. Alevizaki, and I. Huhtaniemi In vitro bioassays for androgens and their diagnostic applications Hum. Reprod. Update, January 1, 2008; 14(1): 73 - 82. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
F. Giton, S. Urien, C. Born, J. Tichet, J. Guechot, J. Callebert, F. Bronsard, J. P. Raynaud, and J. Fiet Determination of Bioavailable Testosterone [Non Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)-Bound Testosterone] in a Population of Healthy French Men: Influence of Androstenediol on Testosterone Binding to SHBG Clin. Chem., December 1, 2007; 53(12): 2160 - 2168. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. Kohalmy, V. Tamasi, L. Kobori, E. Sarvary, J.-M. Pascussi, P. Porrogi, D. Rozman, R. A. Prough, U. A. Meyer, and K. Monostory Dehydroepiandrosterone Induces Human CYP2B6 through the Constitutive Androstane Receptor Drug Metab. Dispos., September 1, 2007; 35(9): 1495 - 1501. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. B. Goodman, W. Jiranek, E. Petrow, and A. W. Yasko The Effects of Medications on Bone J. Am. Acad. Ortho. Surg., August 1, 2007; 15(8): 450 - 460. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Schumacher, R. Guennoun, A. Ghoumari, C. Massaad, F. Robert, M. El-Etr, Y. Akwa, K. Rajkowski, and E.-E. Baulieu Novel Perspectives for Progesterone in Hormone Replacement Therapy, with Special Reference to the Nervous System Endocr. Rev., June 1, 2007; 28(4): 387 - 439. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Panjari and S. R. Davis DHEA therapy for women: effect on sexual function and wellbeing Hum. Reprod. Update, May 1, 2007; 13(3): 239 - 248. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
H. Dechaud, A. Denuziere, S. Rinaldi, J. Bocquet, H. Lejeune, and M. Pugeat Age-Associated Discrepancy between Measured and Calculated Bioavailable Testosterone in Men Clin. Chem., April 1, 2007; 53(4): 723 - 728. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. Blouin, C. Richard, G. Brochu, F.-S. Hould, S. Lebel, S. Marceau, S. Biron, V. Luu-The, and A. Tchernof Androgen inactivation and steroid-converting enzyme expression in abdominal adipose tissue in men J. Endocrinol., December 1, 2006; 191(3): 637 - 649. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. E. Wierman, R. Basson, S. R. Davis, S. Khosla, K. K. Miller, W. Rosner, and N. Santoro Androgen Therapy in Women: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., October 1, 2006; 91(10): 3697 - 3710. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
P. A. Dawson, B. Gardiner, S. Grimmond, and D. Markovich Transcriptional profile reveals altered hepatic lipid and cholesterol metabolism in hyposulfatemic NaS1 null mice Physiol Genomics, September 14, 2006; 26(2): 116 - 124. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Wang, K. Lai, F. J. Moy, A. Bhat, H. B. Hartman, and M. J. Evans The Nuclear Hormone Receptor Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR) Is Activated by Androsterone Endocrinology, September 1, 2006; 147(9): 4025 - 4033. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
B. D. Sullivan, J. E. Evans, M. R. Dana, and D. A. Sullivan Influence of aging on the polar and neutral lipid profiles in human meibomian gland secretions. Arch Ophthalmol, September 1, 2006; 124(9): 1286 - 1292. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C.K. Welt, Y. Jimenez, P.M. Sluss, P.C. Smith, and J.E. Hall Control of estradiol secretion in reproductive ageing Hum. Reprod., August 1, 2006; 21(8): 2189 - 2193. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
F Labrie Future perspectives of selective estrogen receptor modulators used alone and in combination with DHEA. Endocr. Relat. Cancer, June 1, 2006; 13(2): 335 - 355. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
L. M C. S M Leao, M. P. C Duarte, D. M. B Silva, P. R. V Bahia, C. M. Coeli, and M. L. F. de Farias Influence of methyltestosterone postmenopausal therapy on plasma lipids, inflammatory factors, glucose metabolism and visceral fat: a randomized study Eur. J. Endocrinol., January 1, 2006; 154(1): 131 - 139. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. B. Singh, M. L. Lee, I. Sinha-Hikim, M. Kushnir, W. Meikle, A. Rockwood, S. Afework, and S. Bhasin Pharmacokinetics of a Testosterone Gel in Healthy Postmenopausal Women J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., January 1, 2006; 91(1): 136 - 144. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
X. Yue, M. Lu, T. Lancaster, P. Cao, S.-I. Honda, M. Staufenbiel, N. Harada, Z. Zhong, Y. Shen, and R. Li Brain estrogen deficiency accelerates A{beta} plaque formation in an Alzheimer's disease animal model PNAS, December 27, 2005; 102(52): 19198 - 19203. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T HERTOGHE The "Multiple Hormone Deficiency" Theory of Aging: Is Human Senescence Caused Mainly by Multiple Hormone Deficiencies? Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., December 1, 2005; 1057(1): 448 - 465. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
F Labrie, V Luu-The, A Belanger, S-X Lin, J Simard, G Pelletier, and C Labrie Is dehydroepiandrosterone a hormone? J. Endocrinol., November 1, 2005; 187(2): 169 - 196. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
F. Schirra, T. Suzuki, S. M. Richards, R. V. Jensen, M. Liu, M. J. Lombardi, P. Rowley, N. S. Treister, and D. A. Sullivan Androgen Control of Gene Expression in the Mouse Meibomian Gland Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., October 1, 2005; 46(10): 3666 - 3675. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. Giordano, M. Bo, M. Pellegrino, M. Vezzari, M. Baldi, A. Picu, M. Balbo, L. Bonelli, G. Migliaretti, E. Ghigo, et al. Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Hyperactivity in Human Aging Is Partially Refractory to Stimulation by Mineralocorticoid Receptor Blockade J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., October 1, 2005; 90(10): 5656 - 5662. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
N. Santoro, J. Torrens, S. Crawford, J. E. Allsworth, J. S. Finkelstein, E. B. Gold, S. Korenman, W. L. Lasley, J. L. Luborsky, D. McConnell, et al. Correlates of Circulating Androgens in Mid-Life Women: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., August 1, 2005; 90(8): 4836 - 4845. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Dharia, A. Slane, M. Jian, M. Conner, A. J. Conley, R. M. Brissie, and C. R. Parker Jr. Effects of Aging on Cytochrome B5 Expression in the Human Adrenal Gland J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., July 1, 2005; 90(7): 4357 - 4361. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. L. Davison, R. Bell, S. Donath, J. G. Montalto, and S. R. Davis Androgen Levels in Adult Females: Changes with Age, Menopause, and Oophorectomy J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., July 1, 2005; 90(7): 3847 - 3853. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. Simard, M.-L. Ricketts, S. Gingras, P. Soucy, F. A. Feltus, and M. H. Melner Molecular Biology of the 3{beta}-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase/{Delta}5-{Delta}4 Isomerase Gene Family Endocr. Rev., June 1, 2005; 26(4): 525 - 582. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
F. Hammer, S. Subtil, P. Lux, C. Maser-Gluth, P. M. Stewart, B. Allolio, and W. Arlt No Evidence for Hepatic Conversion of Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) Sulfate to DHEA: In Vivo and in Vitro Studies J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., June 1, 2005; 90(6): 3600 - 3605. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
E. R. Simpson, M. Misso, K. N. Hewitt, R. A. Hill, W. C. Boon, M. E. Jones, A. Kovacic, J. Zhou, and C. D. Clyne Estrogen--the Good, the Bad, and the Unexpected Endocr. Rev., May 1, 2005; 26(3): 322 - 330. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. J. Saner, T. Suzuki, H. Sasano, J. Pizzey, C. Ho, J. F. Strauss III, B. R. Carr, and W. E. Rainey Steroid Sulfotransferase 2A1 Gene Transcription Is Regulated by Steroidogenic Factor 1 and GATA-6 in the Human Adrenal Mol. Endocrinol., January 1, 2005; 19(1): 184 - 197. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
P. J. Hornsby Aging of the Human Adrenal Cortex Sci. Aging Knowl. Environ., September 1, 2004; 2004(35): re6 - re6. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
N. J. MacLusky, T. Hajszan, and C. Leranth Effects of Dehydroepiandrosterone and Flutamide on Hippocampal CA1 Spine Synapse Density in Male and Female Rats: Implications for the Role of Androgens in Maintenance of Hippocampal Structure Endocrinology, September 1, 2004; 145(9): 4154 - 4161. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S.K. Goswami, T. Das, R. Chattopadhyay, V. Sawhney, J. Kumar, K. Chaudhury, B.N. Chakravarty, and S.N. Kabir A randomized single-blind controlled trial of letrozole as a low-cost IVF protocol in women with poor ovarian response: a preliminary report Hum. Reprod., September 1, 2004; 19(9): 2031 - 2035. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. A. Morgan III, S. Southwick, G. Hazlett, A. Rasmusson, G. Hoyt, Z. Zimolo, and D. Charney Relationships Among Plasma Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate and Cortisol Levels, Symptoms of Dissociation, and Objective Performance in Humans Exposed to Acute Stress Arch Gen Psychiatry, August 1, 2004; 61(8): 819 - 825. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. H. Page, G. A. Colditz, N. Rifai, R. L. Barbieri, W. C. Willett, and S. E. Hankinson Plasma Adrenal Androgens and Risk of Breast Cancer in Premenopausal Women Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., June 1, 2004; 13(6): 1032 - 1036. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. E. Wood, J. M. Cline, M. S. Anthony, T. C. Register, and J. R. Kaplan Adrenocortical Effects of Oral Estrogens and Soy Isoflavones in Female Monkeys J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., May 1, 2004; 89(5): 2319 - 2325. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T. Hajszan, N. J. MacLusky, and C. Leranth Dehydroepiandrosterone Increases Hippocampal Spine Synapse Density in Ovariectomized Female Rats Endocrinology, March 1, 2004; 145(3): 1042 - 1045. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. Leranth, T. Hajszan, and N. J. MacLusky Androgens Increase Spine Synapse Density in the CA1 Hippocampal Subfield of Ovariectomized Female Rats J. Neurosci., January 14, 2004; 24(2): 495 - 499. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. Somner, S. McLellan, J. Cheung, Y. T. Mak, M. L. Frost, K. M. Knapp, A. S. Wierzbicki, M. Wheeler, I. Fogelman, S. H. Ralston, et al. Polymorphisms in the P450 c17 (17-Hydroxylase/17,20-Lyase) and P450 c19 (Aromatase) Genes: Association with Serum Sex Steroid Concentrations and Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., January 1, 2004; 89(1): 344 - 351. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Leblanc, C. Labrie, A. Belanger, B. Candas, and F. Labrie Bioavailability and Pharmacokinetics of Dehydroepiandrosterone in the Cynomolgus Monkey J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., September 1, 2003; 88(9): 4293 - 4302. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T. Piltonen, R. Koivunen, A. Ruokonen, and J. S. Tapanainen Ovarian Age-Related Responsiveness to Human Chorionic Gonadotropin J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., July 1, 2003; 88(7): 3327 - 3332. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
F. Labrie, V. Luu-The, C. Labrie, A. Belanger, J. Simard, S.-X. Lin, and G. Pelletier Endocrine and Intracrine Sources of Androgens in Women: Inhibition of Breast Cancer and Other Roles of Androgens and Their Precursor Dehydroepiandrosterone Endocr. Rev., April 1, 2003; 24(2): 152 - 182. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. F. Randolph Jr., M. Sowers, E. B. Gold, B. A. Mohr, J. Luborsky, N. Santoro, D. S. McConnell, J. S. Finkelstein, S. G. Korenman, K. A. Matthews, et al. Reproductive Hormones in the Early Menopausal Transition: Relationship to Ethnicity, Body Size, and Menopausal Status J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., April 1, 2003; 88(4): 1516 - 1522. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
B. Z. Leder, K. M. LeBlanc, C. Longcope, H. Lee, D. H. Catlin, and J. S. Finkelstein Effects of Oral Androstenedione Administration on Serum Testosterone and Estradiol Levels in Postmenopausal Women J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., December 1, 2002; 87(12): 5449 - 5454. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
B. D. Sullivan, J. E. Evans, J. M. Cermak, K. L. Krenzer, M. R. Dana, and D. A. Sullivan Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome: Effect on Human Meibomian Gland Secretions Arch Ophthalmol, December 1, 2002; 120(12): 1689 - 1699. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Weill-Engerer, J.-P. David, V. Sazdovitch, P. Liere, B. Eychenne, A. Pianos, M. Schumacher, A. Delacourte, E.-E. Baulieu, and Y. Akwa Neurosteroid Quantification in Human Brain Regions: Comparison between Alzheimer's and Nondemented Patients J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., November 1, 2002; 87(11): 5138 - 5143. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
B. L. Riggs, S. Khosla, and L. J. Melton III Sex Steroids and the Construction and Conservation of the Adult Skeleton Endocr. Rev., June 1, 2002; 23(3): 279 - 302. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
D. A. SULLIVAN, B. D. SULLIVAN, J. E. EVANS, F. SCHIRRA, H. YAMAGAMI, M. LIU, S. M. RICHARDS, T. SUZUKI, D. A. SCHAUMBERG, R. M. SULLIVAN, et al. Androgen Deficiency, Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, and Evaporative Dry Eye Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., June 1, 2002; 966(1): 211 - 222. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
G. Johannsson, P. Burman, L. Wiren, B. E. Engstrom, A. G. Nilsson, M. Ottosson, B. Jonsson, B.-A. Bengtsson, and F. A. Karlsson Low Dose Dehydroepiandrosterone Affects Behavior in Hypopituitary Androgen-Deficient Women: A Placebo-Controlled Trial J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., May 1, 2002; 87(5): 2046 - 2052. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. S. Legro, A. R. Kunselman, L. Demers, S. C. Wang, R. Bentley-Lewis, and A. Dunaif Elevated Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate Levels as the Reproductive Phenotype in the Brothers of Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., May 1, 2002; 87(5): 2134 - 2138. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. M. Matsumoto Andropause: Clinical Implications of the Decline in Serum Testosterone Levels With Aging in Men J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., February 1, 2002; 57(2): M76 - 99. [Full Text] |
||||
![]() |
E. R. Simpson and M. Dowsett Aromatase and Its Inhibitors: Significance for Breast Cancer Therapy Recent Prog. Horm. Res., January 1, 2002; 57(1): 317 - 338. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
E. R. Simpson and S. R. Davis Minireview: Aromatase and the Regulation of Estrogen Biosynthesis--Some New Perspectives Endocrinology, November 1, 2001; 142(11): 4589 - 4594. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
I. M. GOODYER, R. J. PARK, C. M. NETHERTON, and J. HERBERT Possible role of cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone in human development and psychopathology The British Journal of Psychiatry, September 1, 2001; 179(3): 243 - 249. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. K. Miller Androgen Deficiency in Women J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., June 1, 2001; 86(6): 2395 - 2401. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Davis and J. Tran What Are "Normal" Testosterone Levels for Women? J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., April 1, 2001; 86(4): 1842 - 1843. [Full Text] |
||||
![]() |
B. A. Gower and L. Nyman Associations among Oral Estrogen Use, Free Testosterone Concentration, and Lean Body Mass among Postmenopausal Women J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., December 1, 2000; 85(12): 4476 - 4480. [Abstract] [Full Text] |
||||
![]() |
B. D. Sullivan, J. E. Evans, K. L. Krenzer, M. Reza Dana, and D. A. Sullivan Impact of Antiandrogen Treatment on the Fatty Acid Profile of Neutral Lipids in Human Meibomian Gland Secretions J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., December 1, 2000; 85(12): 4866 - 4873. [Abstract] [Full Text] |
||||
![]() |
K. L. Krenzer, M. Reza Dana, M. D. Ullman, J. M. Cermak, D. B. Tolls, J. E. Evans, and D. A. Sullivan Effect of Androgen Deficiency on the Human Meibomian Gland and Ocular Surface J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., December 1, 200 |