title: The influence of sex hormones on anterior cruciate ligament ruptures in males.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to determine the difference in the concentrations of testosterone, 17-β estradiol and progesterone between male patients with and without ACL rupture, as well as the possible effect of these hormones on generalized joint laxity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male subjects with non-contact knee joint injury were included in this study. Two groups were formed: the examined group, consisting of subjects with ACL rupture and the control group consisting of patients without ACL rupture. After this, the patients from these two groups were paired off on the basis of three factors, level of professional involvement in sports (including the type of sports activity), left or right side of the body and the age of the subjects. In the end, there were 29 pairs (58 subjects). The concentration of sex hormones was determined from saliva specimens with the aid of the Salimetrics enzyme immunoassay. The testing of generalized joint laxity was performed with the aid of the "laxity score" according to Beighton et al.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subjects with ACL rupture have highly statistically significantly greater concentrations of testosterone (p < 0.01), statistically significantly greater concentrations of 17-β estradiol (p < 0.05), and a highly statistically significantly greater generalized joint laxity score than subjects with an intact ACL (p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased concentrations of testosterone or 17-β estradiol may be a risk factor leading to ACL rupture. Also, generalized joint laxity may be a factor leading to ACL rupture, but none of the monitored hormones can be set down as the cause of its existence. Young male athletes with higher concentrations of testosterone and greater hyperelasticity should plan preventive programs of physiotherapy for ACL preservation since they present a vulnerable group susceptible to ACL rupture.
  
  
  METHODS
  Diagnostic study, Level II.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotića 4, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia. lazar.stijak@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Lazar
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stijak
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, Clinical Center of Serbia, Pasterova 2, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia. kadija.marko@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Marko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kadija
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotića 4, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia. drwolfy@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Vuk
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Djulejić
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotića 4, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia. milanaksic@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Milan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aksić
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Pasterova 2, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia. natasapetronijevic@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Nataša
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Petronijević
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotića 4, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia. dubravkaaleksic@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Dubravka
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Aleksić
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotića 4, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia. radonjicv@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Vidosava
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Radonjić
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, Clinical Center of Serbia, Pasterova 2, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia. marko.bumbasirevic@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Marko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bumbaširević
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotića 4, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia. filipovic.branislav@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Branislav
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Filipović
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004958:Estradiol / Q000032:analysis; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011374:Progesterone / Q000032:analysis; D012421:Rupture; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D013739:Testosterone / Q000032:analysis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D013739:Testosterone; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol
keywords: 17-β estradiol; Anterior cruciate ligament; Joint laxity; Progesterone; Testosterone