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Gender Differences of Oligomers and Total Adiponectin during Puberty: A Cross-Sectional Study of 859 Danish School Children

The Medical Research Laboratories (K.K.A., J.F., A.F.), Clinical Institute and Medical Department M (Diabetes and Endocrinology), Aarhus University Hospital, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; Childrens Clinic Randers (O.D.W., C.H.), DK-8900 Randers, Denmark; and Department of Pediatrics (C.H.), Skejby Sygehus, Aarhus University Hospital, DK-8200 Skejby, Denmark

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Professor Allan Flyvbjerg, M.D., The Medical Research Laboratories, Clinical Institute, Medical Department M (Diabetes and Endocrinology), Aarhus University Hospital, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. E-mail: allan.flyvbjerg{at}dadlnet.dk.

Context: Pubertal stages have been shown to influence total adiponectin (ADPN) levels. Furthermore, testosterone has been shown to alter the isomer distribution of ADPN.

Objective: The goal of this study was to investigate whether pubertal stages and testosterone levels influenced total serum ADPN levels and the distribution of ADPN isomers.

Design: This is a cross-sectional study.

Patients: The study included 859 children and adolescents (396 males) aged 6–20 yr.

Main Outcome Measures: Total ADPN and ADPN isomers were measured using a validated in-house immunofluorometric assay. Fractioning of the ADPN into the three major molecular fractions was performed in representative subgroups of pre- and postpubertal males and females (n = 40, 10 in each group) using a validated fast protein liquid chromatography method.

Results: Total ADPN levels before puberty were 13.4 (11.1–15.9) mg/liter (median and interquartile range) and 14.7 (12.3–18.1) mg/liter (P = not significant), in males and females, respectively. After puberty, ADPN levels were significantly reduced in males, 9.7 (8.2–12.0) mg/liter but remained unchanged in females, 12.1 (9.7–15.3) mg/liter (P < 0.0001). Concomitantly, a reduction was seen in the ratio of high-molecular-weight (HMW) isomers to total ADPN (HMW ratio) when comparing prepubertal and postpubertal males. Also, postpubertal males had lower HMW ratios than corresponding females (P = 0.038). Finally, a negative correlation was seen between HMW ratio and testosterone (r = –0.430, P = 0.007).

Conclusion: Serum total ADPN levels decrease through puberty in males. Also, a reduced HMW ratio is seen in males at the onset of puberty. We speculate that the suppression of HMW ADPN may be caused by testosterone.

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