Growth Hormone and Adrenal Androgen Secretion

Abstract

The effect of growth hormone (GH) on adrenal androgen secretion was assessed in 7 patients (5 males, 2 females) with GH deficiency but normal ACTH-cortisol function. Patients ranged in age from 9 3/12-14 8/12 years. Plasma concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), its sulfate (DHEA-S) and androstenedione (Δ4A), as well as urinary 17-ketosteroids and free cortisol were determined before, during short-term (2U/d×3) and after long-term (6 months) treatment with GH. The baseline, pretreatment plasma levels of DHEA-S were appropriate for the individuals' degree of skeletal maturation, whereas plasma DHEA and Δ4A were undetectable (<42ng/dl and < 27ng/dl, respectively) in 5/7 subjects. No significant change was noted in the plasma androgen values or in the urinary 17-ketosteroid and free cortisol concentrations during the short-term administration of GH. Despite a significant increase in growth velocity after 6 months of GH therapy, the pre- and post-treatment plasma and urinary steroid concentrations were not statistically different. These results fail to substantiate a role for GH in the secretion or metabolism of adrenal androgens. Thus, the delayed adrenarche and subnormal plasma adrenal androgen levels sometimes seen in GH deficient patients are not due to the absence of GH per se.