[Age related changes of serum sex hormone levels and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity in healthy women].
OBJECTIVE
To study the changes of serum sex hormone levels and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP) activity in healthy women of different ages, and to provide parameters for basic and clinical research of osteoporosis.


METHODS
Serum sex hormone (FSH, LH, E2, P) levels and TRACP activity were measured in 236 premenopausal healthy women aged 23-53 years and divided into 3 groups, and in 91 postmenopausal healthy women aged 48-71 years.


RESULTS
Except serum FSH levels which were significantly higher in the third group than those of the other groups in premenopausal healthy women (P < 0.05), no significant difference in sex hormone levels and TRACP activity was found among the 3 groups; the postmenopausal group showed a significant increase in serum FSH, LH levels and TRACP activity and a significant decrease in serum E2, P levels, compared with the premenopausal groups (P < 0.01). There was a negative correlation between E2, P levels and TRACP activity in the postmenopausal women (r = -0.41 and -0.37, respectively, P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Postmenopausal diminution of E2, P results in an increase of serum FSH and LH levels, and may bring about an increase of bone resorption, which results in the increase of TRACP activity.
Yang
Yi-fen
YF
Department of Clinical Laboratory, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China.
Cao
Hong
H
Huang
Gan
G
D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000097:blood*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000097:blood; D000071681:Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase
D007527:Isoenzymes; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D000135:Acid Phosphatase; D000071681:Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase