Developmental patterns of serum 3 alpha-androstanediol glucuronide.
3 alpha-androstanediol glucuronide (3 alpha diolG) is a marker of peripheral tissue androgen metabolism. There are no previous data regarding complete paediatric reference ranges for 3 alpha diolG. In order to obtain reference values for 3 alpha diolG we have measured serum levels of 3 alpha diolG in 283 healthy children and adolescents, 146 boys and 137 girls, age 1 month to 20 years and 28 adults. A non-extraction, solid phase radioimmunoassay employing a polyclonal antiserum that is specific for 3 alpha diolG was used to measure serum 3 alpha diolG levels (intra assay variation 5.1-10.1%, inter assay variation 2.7-9.0%). There was a strong sex and age dependence (r = 0.8; p < 0.0001) of 3 alpha diolG levels throughout childhood and adolescence with males showing significantly higher levels of the androgen than females (p < 0.05). 3 alpha diolG serum levels (nmol/l +/- SD) correlated significantly with pubertal stage (p < 0.01). Interestingly, in 35 children with CAH serum 3 alpha diolG levels correlated well with clinical and metabolic status, i.e. 17OHP serum levels. In summary, we have established percentile curves for 3 alpha diolG levels in healthy children and adolescents. We hypothesize that on the basis of our reference values the single measurement of serum 3 alpha diolG could serve as a means to determine androgen status in children with disorders of puberty and sexual development.
Rittner
H L
HL
Department of General Pediatrics and Neonatology, Children's Hospital, University of Giessen, Germany.
Lee
P D
PD
Blum
W F
WF
Doerr
H G
HG
Steiss
J
J
Kreuder
J
J
Rascher
W
W
Kiess
W
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood*; D015113:Androstane-3,17-diol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011627:Puberty / Q000097:blood; D012016:Reference Values; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D015415:Biomarkers; D015113:Androstane-3,17-diol; C028895:androstane-3,17-diol glucuronide