title: The effect of age, weight-related parameters and hormonal contraceptives on andrological assays.
abstract: 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. Most contraceptive users had slightly lowered T levels. Marvelon and Ministat induced an increase in the SHBG levels. Androstenedione (A) levels were studied for some of the contraceptives (Ministat, Marvelon, Lyndiol, Depoprovera); 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.
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001835:Body Weight; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000494:pharmacology; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008525:Medroxyprogesterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate; D012016:Reference Values; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate; D008525:Medroxyprogesterone