Abstract
The authors have measured the amount of steroid hormones in the urine and plasma level in a number of women aged 70–79 years. Using electron capture gas liquid chromatography, they found a marked fall in the value of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHAS) in the urine as well as in the plasma, whereas the levels in the plasma for testosterone and Δ4-androstenedione were almost the same as in young women. On the other hand, urinary glucuronide and testosterone sulphate were very low. The reason given for these findings is the fall in the urinary output of 17-ketosteroids attributed to the diminution of secretion of DHA and DHAS. The daily administration by mouth of 200 mg of DHAS brought about an increase of urinary oestrogens to values found during the menstrual cycle, and also an increase in the production of testosterone reflected in the values of the free form in the plasma as well as of glucuronide and sulpho-conjugate in the urine. It is concluded that it is possible to restore the production of sex hormones in aged women by giving them DHAS.
Published Version
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