title: Serum Androgens and sex hormone binding globulin in obese Pima indian females.
abstract: Levels of serum androgens and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were measured in 20 obese Pima Indian females aged 19-44 and compared with those of normal-weight Caucasians aged 20-46. The Pima exhibited significantly decreased SHBG compared to Caucasians, but a strong effect of age on androgen levels rendered mean comparisons useless. Androstenedione (A) and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) decreased significantly, and testosterone (T) declined slightly with age in the Pima, whereas these androgens showed no significant decreases in Caucasians for this age range. A possible relationship of androgens to the Pima female's propensity for android obesity as well as possible effects of obesity on SHBG, and aging is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology*; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000097:blood*; D014481:United States; D044465:White People
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin