The effect of age, weight-related parameters and hormonal contraceptives on andrological assays

• Published in: Contraception (Stoneham) Vol. 33; no. 5; pp. 503 - 517
• Main Authors: Trienekens, P.H., Schmidt, N.A., Thijssen, J.H.H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.05.1986; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Age Factors; Biological and medical sciences; Birth control; Body Weight; Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal - pharmacology; Dehydroepiandrosterone - analogs & derivatives; Dehydroepiandrosterone - blood; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; Female; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Hormonal contraception; Humans; Medical sciences; Medroxyprogesterone - analogs & derivatives; Medroxyprogesterone - pharmacology; Medroxyprogesterone Acetate; Population; Reference Values; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin - analysis; Testosterone - blood; Human; Estroprogestagen; Androgen; Gynecology; Body weight; Oral administration; Contraceptive; Concentration; Hormonal investigation; Woman; Sex steroid hormone; Age; Measurement; Body Weight; Age Factors; Contraceptive Agents; Anthropometry; Reproductive Control Agents; Testosterone > analysis; Biology; Contraception; Family Planning; Research Methodology; Endocrine System; Hormones > analysis; Androgens; Population Characteristics; Contraceptive Methods; Population; Physiology; Oral Contraceptives; Demographic Factors; Contraceptive Agents, Female
• ISSN: 0010-7824; 1879-0518
• DOI: 10.1016/S0010-7824(86)80009-9

Serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S), testosterone (T), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), T/SHBG ratio and the calculated free T were evaluated in healthy female blood donors. The influence of age and weight-related parameters were studied together with the effects of 9 different oral contraceptives. A gradual decrease with age of DHEA-S, T, T/SHBG and free T levels were observed. The Quetelet index showed a significant negative correlation with the androgen levels except for the T/SHBG ratio. In the females using contraceptives, DHEA-S levels were only significantly decreased in the group using Depo-provera R. Most contraceptive users had slightly lowered T levels. Marvelon R and Ministat R induced an increase in the SHBG levels. Androstenedione (A) levels were studied for some of the contraceptives (Ministat R, Marvelon R, Lyndiol R, Depoprovera R); levels were found to be significantly lower than in normal premenopausal women. A highly significant correlation was demonstrated between DHEA-S and the T, T/SHBG and free T levels in the serum of 106 normal women.