Mito
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- Joined
- Dec 10, 2016
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Abstract
Context
Androgen levels have been shown to decline in aging men. However, there is no consensus on the effect of aging, (changes in) BMI, lifestyle factors and intercurrent disease.
Objective
Investigating longitudinal changes in serum androgen levels in healthy men in relation to body composition, lifestyle factors and intercurrent disease.
Design, Setting, and Participants
Longitudinal, population-based sibling pair study at a university research center. 999 healthy men aged 24-46 years of whom 691 were re-evaluated after a mean period of 12 years.
Main outcome measures
Serum SHBG, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels measured using immuno-assays. Testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), dihydro-testosterone (DHT), androstenedione (Adione) measured using LC-MS/MS, free T calculated (cFT).
Results
Baseline age was 34±6 years. Mean BMI increased by 1.19kg/m², T levels decreased by 14.2%(20.8nmol/l vs. 17.8nmol/l), cFT by 19.1%(392pmol/l vs. 317pmol/l), DHT by 15.6%(1.5nmol/l vs.1.3nmol/l), and Adione by 10.7%(3.7nmol/l vs. 3.3nmol/l; all p<0.001). E2 did not change over time. SHBG increased by 3.0%(39.8nmol/l vs. 41.0nmol/l), LH by 5.8%(4.6U/l vs. 4.9U/l) and FSH by 14.7%(4.3U/l vs. 5.1U/l) (all p<0.001). For T, cFT, DHT, Adione and SHBG these longitudinal changes persisted after adjustment for confounders (all p<0.001).
Conclusion
Serum androgen levels start declining early during adult life and independently from changes in BMI and other lifestyle factors, suggesting that aging per se leads to an altered sex steroid status. Given the concurrent rise in gonadotropin levels, the decline in androgen status most likely arises from primary decrease in testicular function.
Context
Androgen levels have been shown to decline in aging men. However, there is no consensus on the effect of aging, (changes in) BMI, lifestyle factors and intercurrent disease.
Objective
Investigating longitudinal changes in serum androgen levels in healthy men in relation to body composition, lifestyle factors and intercurrent disease.
Design, Setting, and Participants
Longitudinal, population-based sibling pair study at a university research center. 999 healthy men aged 24-46 years of whom 691 were re-evaluated after a mean period of 12 years.
Main outcome measures
Serum SHBG, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels measured using immuno-assays. Testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), dihydro-testosterone (DHT), androstenedione (Adione) measured using LC-MS/MS, free T calculated (cFT).
Results
Baseline age was 34±6 years. Mean BMI increased by 1.19kg/m², T levels decreased by 14.2%(20.8nmol/l vs. 17.8nmol/l), cFT by 19.1%(392pmol/l vs. 317pmol/l), DHT by 15.6%(1.5nmol/l vs.1.3nmol/l), and Adione by 10.7%(3.7nmol/l vs. 3.3nmol/l; all p<0.001). E2 did not change over time. SHBG increased by 3.0%(39.8nmol/l vs. 41.0nmol/l), LH by 5.8%(4.6U/l vs. 4.9U/l) and FSH by 14.7%(4.3U/l vs. 5.1U/l) (all p<0.001). For T, cFT, DHT, Adione and SHBG these longitudinal changes persisted after adjustment for confounders (all p<0.001).
Conclusion
Serum androgen levels start declining early during adult life and independently from changes in BMI and other lifestyle factors, suggesting that aging per se leads to an altered sex steroid status. Given the concurrent rise in gonadotropin levels, the decline in androgen status most likely arises from primary decrease in testicular function.
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