Steroid Hormones and Aging: Free Testosterone, Testosterone and Androstenedione in Normal Females Aged 20-87 Years

Document Type

Article

Authors

Frances E. Pruifoy, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Lambert H. Koopmans, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Ronald W. Tatum, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Abstract

In order to investigate their pattern of change with age, free testosterone concentration (FTC), testosterone (T), androstenedione (A) and testosterone-estrogen­binding globulin (TeBG) were assayed in normal female volunteers aged 20-87. FTC was determined by equilibrium dialysis, serum A and T by radioimmunoassay and TeBG by saturation analysis. Polynomial regression and a method of smoothing grouped medians were used to obtain regression curves for each hormone by age. A declined progressively from the twenties, leveling off after age 60; FTC and T decreased slightly until age 60, tending to rise thereafter. Although TeBG showed no linear change with age, it correlated negatively with FTC in postmenopausal women. Possible relationships of androgens to female physiology and behavior, especially in the aged, are discussed.

Recommended Citation

Pruifoy, Frances E.; Koopmans, Lambert H.; and Tatum, Ronald W. (1980) "Steroid Hormones and Aging: Free Testosterone, Testosterone and Androstenedione in Normal Females Aged 20-87 Years," Human Biology: Vol. 52: Iss. 2, Article 4.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol/vol52/iss2/4