Correlation of serum androgens with anthropometric and metabolic indices in healthy, nonobese postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
The role of testosterone in the regulation of metabolic and physiological function in men is well defined, but its role in women remains enigmatic. Thus, the present study sought to assess the contribution of endogenous circulating androgens to the regulation of metabolic function, body morphometry, and physical function in normal naturally postmenopausal women.


METHODS
Using a cross-sectional design, we measured serum androgens in a cohort of 29 naturally postmenopausal women and correlated the results with metabolic, morphometric, and functional outcome parameters. These included insulin sensitivity, whole-body fat and lean body mass, visceral/abdominal fat areasm and aerobic capacity.


RESULTS
Higher serum testosterone levels were related to greater maximal aerobic capacity and reduced adiposity. Additionally, higher serum dihydrotestosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androstenedione, and androstenetriol glucuronidate levels were correlated to greater insulin sensitivity.


CONCLUSIONS
In naturally postmenopausal women, endogenous androgens may play a role in the maintenance of beneficial patterns of metabolic, morphometric, and functional parameters.
Casson
Peter R
PR
University of Vermont, Fletcher Allen Health Care, Smith 401, 111 Colchester Avenue, Burlington, Vermont 05401, USA. peter.casson@vtmednet.org
Toth
Michael J
MJ
Johnson
Julia V
JV
Stanczyk
Frank Z
FZ
Casey
Colleen L
CL
Dixon
Marjorie E
ME
D000368:Aged; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood*; D001837:Body Weights and Measures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006262:Health; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D056865:Ideal Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D055442:Metabolome; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology*; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology
D000728:Androgens; D013739:Testosterone