Effects of gonadal androgens and oestrogens on adrenal androgen levels.
OBJECTIVE
The physiological role of adrenal androgens in humans remains unclear. Furthermore, there are few data on the relation between sex steroids and adrenal androgen production. We have assessed the effects of sex steroid hormone administration on adrenal androgen levels, by studying a large group of transsexual patients.


METHODS
A non-randomized intervention.


METHODS
A university teaching hospital.


METHODS
Thirty-one male-to-female and 22 female-to-male transsexual patients.


METHODS
Plasma levels of adrenal androgens were measured in a group of male-to-female and female-to-male transsexual patients both before and during cross-gender hormone treatment. This treatment involves administration of testosterone esters to women and of ethinyloestradiol and cyproterone acetate to men.


RESULTS
High dose sex steroid administration had marked effects on adrenal androgens levels, which decreased by 27-48% in males treated with ethinyloestradiol and increased by 23-70% in females treated with testosterone.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that administration of high doses of testosterone and oestradiol exert opposing effects on adrenal androgen production.
Polderman
K H
KH
Department of Internal Medicine, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Gooren
L J
LJ
van der Veen
E A
EA
D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D017373:Cyproterone Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006728:Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014189:Transsexualism / Q000097:blood*
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D006728:Hormones; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; C027091:cortisol binding globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D017373:Cyproterone Acetate; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone