Abstract
It is suggested that testosterone may play a part in the higher prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in males compared to females. Previous studies have reported elevated postnatal testosterone levels in children and women with ASD but not in men. We compared levels of salivary testosterone across 67 undergraduate males (Mage 19.5 yrs, SD 1.92) selected for low, mid-range and high levels of autistic traits assessed using the Autism-spectrum Quotient. Analyses revealed no significant differences in testosterone concentrations across the three groups. The current data add to the increasing evidence for the lack of relationship between autistic traits and postnatal levels of testosterone in men.
Highlights
Testosterone is a biologically potent sex steroid that has masculinising effects on the brain and behaviour [1]
The two- to four-fold increase in the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in males relative to females [2,3] is suggested to be related to heightened testosterone exposure during prenatal life [4]
The current study investigated salivary testosterone concentrations and autistic traits in a population of undergraduate students in Australia
Summary
Testosterone is a biologically potent sex steroid that has masculinising effects on the brain and behaviour [1]. The two- to four-fold increase in the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in males relative to females [2,3] is suggested to be related to heightened testosterone exposure during prenatal life [4]. A recent study of autistic and non-autistic boys reported that the two groups had similar levels of prenatal testosterone but the ASD group showed increased steroidogenic activity when the levels of cortisol and steroids involved in the biosynthesis of testosterone were analysed [9]. Postnatal testosterone levels are commonly derived from blood serum or saliva samples.
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