Serum Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate Concentrations Research Articles

Birth size, body composition, and adrenal androgens as determinants of bone mineral density in mid-childhood.

BackgroundBirth weight has an impact on adult bone mass. Higher birth weight is associated with greater bone mineral content (BMC) and children born small for gestational age (SGA) are at an increased risk for impaired accrual of bone mass. Our aim was to study whether the impact of birth size or early childhood growth on bone mass is visible already in mid-childhood.MethodsWe studied 49 children born large for gestational age (LGA), 56 children born appropriate for gestational age (AGA), and 23 children born SGA at 5.0-8.7 years of age. Body composition was assessed by whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Fasting blood samples and anthropometric data were collected.ResultsThe children born SGA had lower bone mineral density (BMD) Z-score (P<0.001) and age- and sex-adjusted BMD (P<0.005) than the LGA and AGA children. Adjusted BMC, muscle mass, and body fat percentage (%BF) did not differ between the study groups. Muscle mass, BMI SD score (SDS), %BF, and serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) concentration were the strongest predictors of high BMD in mid-childhood.ConclusionSGA-born children had lower BMD in mid-childhood compared with AGA- and LGA-born ones. Muscle mass or BMI SDS, %BF, and DHEAS were significant predictors of childhood BMD.

Maternal serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate as a predictor of labor inhibition in preterm labor

Objective The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between endogenous serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) levels and success of labor inhibition in preterm labor. Background Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Patients and methods This prospective trial included 43 pregnant women with preterm labor. Labor inhibition was achieved using calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine (epilat 10-mg capsules at a dose of 10 mg orally every 20 min until uterine contractions are inhibited and maintained regularly by epilat retard tablets every 8 h). Serum DHEA-S levels were measured twice, the first just before labor inhibition by tocolytic drugs, and the second sample was obtained after 48 h from starting tocolytic drugs. The levels were evaluated by radioimmunoassay. Ultrasound assessment of the cervix was also carried out. Results There was a highly significant statistical difference between cases delivered at full term (n = 29) and cases delivered preterm (n = 14) regarding post-tocolytic DHEA-S levels (P = 0.0009). There was a significant statistical difference in pretocolytic levels of DHEA-S in cases that delivered preterm and failed to respond to tocolytic therapy. The cutoff value of pretocolytic DHEA-S was greater than or equal to 94 μg/dl, at which tocolytic therapy failed. Conclusion Maternal serum DHEA-S concentrations were normal in patients with successful tocolysis compared with elevated levels in patients with failed tocolysis who experienced preterm delivery. Elevated serum DHEA-S levels of more than 94 μg/dl could be used to predict failure of labor inhibition in preterm labor.

Bone turnover marker determinants in young women: results from the Safe-D study.

Background Bone turnover markers (BTMs) may provide insight into bone health in young women, but have been little studied in this demographic. We aimed to explore the association between body composition, hormonal contraception, bone mineral density and biochemical parameters and BTMs in young women. Methods Participants were community-dwelling females aged 16-25 years, living in Victoria, Australia. Carboxy-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX) and total procollagen type 1 N-propeptide (P1NP) were analysed on the Roche Elecsys automated analyzer. A total of 305 were evaluated, after excluding participants with medical conditions or medications (except hormonal contraceptives), which may affect bone metabolism. Results Median (Q1, Q3) BTM values were 540 (410, 690) ng/L for CTX and 61.7 (46.2, 83.7) µg/L for P1NP. Serum CTX and P1NP were inversely associated with chronological age ( P < 0.001), transferrin ( P < 0.020) and serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate concentration ( P < 0.001). BTM values were up to 22% lower in combined oral contraceptive (COC) pill users ( P < 0.001). Serum CTX was inversely associated with per cent body fat ( P = 0.009) and tibial cortical volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD; P = 0.003). Serum P1NP concentrations were 23 µg/L higher in participants who reported using an osteopath in the previous year ( P = 0.007). Conclusions These data suggest that BTMs are influenced by age, COC use, body composition, iron status and hormonal profiles. Higher CTX values were associated with lower tibial cortical vBMD. Examining BTMs in relation to interventions aimed at improving bone health in young women is warranted.

Associations of lifestyle factors with serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and insulin-like growth factor-1 concentration in prepubertal children.

Little is known about the relationships of dietary factors, physical activity and sedentary behaviour to dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations among prepubertal children. Therefore, we studied the associations of these lifestyle factors with serum DHEAS and IGF-1 in children. Cross-sectional analysis of a population sample of 431 prepubertal children aged 6-9years. Assessment of dietary factors by food records and physical activity and sedentary behaviour by a combined heart rate and movement monitor and a questionnaire. Measurement of serum DHEAS and IGF-1. Consumption of low-fibre grain products (standardized regression coefficient β=.118, P=.017) and intake of vegetable protein (β=.100, P=.045) was positively and consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (β=-.117, P=.018) was inversely associated with DHEAS after adjustment for sex, age and body fat percentage. Energy intake (β=.160, P=.001) was positively associated with IGF-1 adjusting for sex, age and body fat percentage. Vigorous physical activity was inversely associated with DHEAS after adjustment for sex and age (β=-.120, P=.027), and total (β=-.137, P=.007), moderate (β=-.130, P=.012), vigorous (β=-.136, P=.011) and moderate to vigorous physical activity (β=-.160, P=.003) were inversely and total sedentary behaviour (β=.151, P=.003) was positively associated with IGF-1 adjusting for sex and age. None of physical activity measures was associated with DHEAS or IGF-1 after additional adjustment for body fat percentage. Lifestyle factors have weak and moderate associations with biochemical markers of adrenarche in prepubertal children. These associations indicate body fat independent and dependent influences of diet and physical activity, respectively.

Contribution of Genetic Factors to Lower DHEAS in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Lower production of adrenal androgens has been confirmed in females with rheumatoid arthritis (RA); however, the mechanisms of this finding are not completely understood. The aim of our study was to assess the contribution of genetic factors associated with variability of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels to lower DHEAS in female RA patients. 448 RA and 648 healthy controls were genotyped for single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes ZKSCAN5 (rs11761528), SULT2A1 (rs2637125), HHEX (rs2497306), and ARPC1A (rs740160). Serum DHEAS concentrations were measured in 112 RA patients and 91 healthy women. The allele frequencies in DHEAS-related loci were similar in RA and controls. RA patients had significantly lower serum DHEAS concentrations compared to healthy women. The cumulative number of alleles associated with lower DHEAS within genes ZKSCAN5, SULT2A1, HHEX, and ARPC1A present in each individual negatively correlated with DHEAS levels in RA patients, but not in controls. Linear regression analysis showed significant effect of polymorphisms in genes ZKSCAN5 and ARPC1A on serum DHEAS levels in female RA patients but not in the control group. Our findings suggest that complex interactions exist between genotype and adrenal androgen hypofunction in RA.

The Association between Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEA-S) and Bone Mineral Density in Korean Men and Women.

BackgroundThe relationship between dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and bone mineral density (BMD) is controversial. And findings of most studies that have investigated this relationship are restricted to postmenopausal women. In this study, we investigated the relationship between serum DHEA-S and BMD in both men and women.MethodsThis cross-sectional study evaluated a total of 294 healthy Korean participants through a medical examination program. And a subgroup of 154 participants was subjected to a longitudinal analysis. We measured BMD by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and assayed DHEA-S by a chemiluminescent immunoassay.ResultsWe evaluated the association between serum DHEA-S concentration and BMD at the femur trochanter after adjusting for cofounders such as age, body mass index, lifestyle factors, serum cortisol level, serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) level, and sex. Through our longitudinal study, we found that the changes in BMD at the total spine, at the femur neck, and at the femur trochanter were all smaller in the ΔDHEA-S <0 group than in the ΔDHEA-S >0 group.ConclusionsWe found that there was a positive correlation between serum DHEA-S and femur BMD, which suggests that controlling serum DHEA-S levels may retard age-related BMD reduction in Koreans.

Serum DHEA-S concentration correlates with clinical symptoms and neurocognitive function in patients with bipolar II disorder: A case-controlled study

ObjectivesDysregulation of the neuroendocrine system including dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), and pregnenolone may play a role in the pathophysiology of bipolar II disorder (BP-II). The aims of the current study are to determine (a) the differences in DHEA, DHEA-S and pregnenolone in patients with BP-II and controls; and (b) the correlation of levels of the above hormones, cognitive function, and clinical symptoms. MethodsPatients diagnosed with BP-II and healthy controls were recruited from psychiatric department. Blood samples were collected to measure the levels of DHEA, DHEA-S and pregnenolone in all participants, followed by assessment of cognitive function using the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Affective Disorders (BACA). ResultsA total of 32 patients BP-II and 30 healthy control subjects were recruited. The BP-II group was found with significantly elder age, fewer years of education, and lower BACA composite scores compared to the healthy controls. The level of DHEA-S was significantly associated with performance in BACA when controlling for age, gender, years of education and having BP-II (P=0.018). The DHEA-S level was significantly correlated with mania score (r=−0.498, P=0.010). ConclusionOur findings support that serum level of DHEA-S may be a biomarker representing clinical manic symptoms and cognitive performance.

Heritability of serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate levels and pubertal development in 6∼18-year-old girls: a twin study

Background: Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), the most plentiful circulating adrenal hormone, may be considered as a marker of the onset of adrenarche and is involved in pubertal development and metabolic disorders.Aim: The objective of this study is to determine the genetic and environmental influences on the variation of basal DHEAS levels and pubertal development in pubertal girls.Subjects and methods: Three hundred and sixty twin girls aged 6–18-years were enrolled, consisting of 132 monozygotic pairs and 48 dizygotic pairs. Anthropometric and sexual characteristics were examined. Serum DHEAS was measured by RIA. Estimates of genetic and environmental components of variance were based on the theory of normal maximum likelihood in Mx package.Results: Serum DHEAS concentrations of PH-II and PH-III were significantly higher than Tanner stage PH-I (p < .05) and maintained higher levels in PH-IV ∼ V. Heritability of serum DHEAS estimated by model-fitting on data from 180-pairs of twins is 0.61 (0.52–0.70), the rest of the variance in DHEAS levels could be explained by unique environmental influences and age. The heritabilities of DHEAS in two pubertal sub-groups (PH-I and PH-II-V) are 0.82 (0.71–0.90) and 0.63 (0.52–0.74), respectively. The heritability index of menarche, breast development and pube development are 0.71, 0.35 and 0.45, respectively.Conclusions: Serum DHEAS concentrations of pubertal girls are mainly influenced by genetic factors, especially during the period of adrenarche. The results stress the importance of research into the genetic regulation of the endocrine regulators involved in adrenarche and related metabolic disorders in girls.

Serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and osteoarthritis in older people: the Pro.V.A. study.

Although osteoarthritis (OA) and low levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) are common in the elderly, no studies on human beings are available concerning the possible relationship between them. We aimed to examine the relationship between DHEAS levels and any presence of OA in a cohort of community-dwelling older subjects. This study was part of the Progetto Veneto Anziani (Pro.V.A.), an Italian population-based cohort study on people over 65years old. In this cross-sectional work, we considered 2050 individuals with a mean age of 74.2 ± 7.1years (818 M and 1232 F), and with a complete set of information on OA and DHEAS levels. OA was defined using a standardized algorithm investigating disease history, medical records, symptoms, use of analgesic drugs for OA, and physical examination of the hand, hip, and knee. DHEAS levels were classified using gender-specific tertiles. OA at the three sites investigated was significantly more common in women than in men, and in individuals with lower serum DHEAS concentrations. On logistic regression analysis, taking those in the highest DHEAS tertile for reference and adjusting for potential confounders, subjects in the lowest tertile had significantly higher odds of OA involving the hand (men: OR = 1.49; 95% CI 1.31-1.70, women: 1.28; 95% CI 1.16-1.41), hip (men: 1.55; 95% CI 1.33-1.81; women: 1.17; 95% CI 1.06-1.30), and knee (men: 1.54; 95% CI 1.35-1.76; women: 1.31 95% CI 1.19-1.45). Similar findings emerged for individuals in the intermediate DHEAS tertile. Low DHEAS levels are associated with OA, irrespective of site and gender.

Effects of Steroid Hormones on Sex Differences in Cerebral Perfusion

Sex differences in the brain appear to play an important role in the prevalence and progression of various neuropsychiatric disorders, but to date little is known about the cerebral mechanisms underlying these differences. One widely reported finding is that women demonstrate higher cerebral perfusion than men, but the underlying cause of this difference in perfusion is not known. This study investigated the putative role of steroid hormones such as oestradiol, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) as underlying factors influencing cerebral perfusion. We acquired arterial spin labelling perfusion images of 36 healthy adult subjects (16 men, 20 women). Analyses on average whole brain perfusion levels included a multiple regression analysis to test for the relative impact of each hormone on the global perfusion. Additionally, voxel-based analyses were performed to investigate the sex difference in regional perfusion as well as the correlations between local perfusion and serum oestradiol, testosterone, and DHEAS concentrations. Our results replicated the known sex difference in perfusion, with women showing significantly higher global and regional perfusion. For the global perfusion, DHEAS was the only significant predictor amongst the steroid hormones, showing a strong negative correlation with cerebral perfusion. The voxel-based analyses revealed modest sex-dependent correlations between local perfusion and testosterone, in addition to a strong modulatory effect of DHEAS in cortical, subcortical, and cerebellar regions. We conclude that DHEAS in particular may play an important role as an underlying factor driving the difference in cerebral perfusion between men and women.

Serum DHEA-S increases in dogs naturally infected with Ehrlichia canis

Adrenocortical disturbances are expected in canine ehrlichiosis due to the immunological challenges caused by infection and consequent inflammation. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of adrenocortical hormonal alterations in dogs naturally infected with Ehrlichia canis (n = 21) as positively confirmed by the presence of anti-E. canis antibodies (Dot-ELISA) and nested PCR (nPCR). Serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) concentrations were assessed via ELISA before and one hour after ACTH stimulation. Another 10 healthy dogs were subjected to the same stimulation protocol and used as controls. The results revealed that baseline and post-ACTH DHEA-S concentrations were significantly greater in sick dogs, regardless of gender, and this finding illustrates the stress induced by naturally acquired ehrlichiosis in dogs.

The association between serum dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate (DHEA-S) level and bone mineral density in Korean men.

Many lines of evidence indicate that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) plays a distinct role in bone metabolism and that its sulphated form (DHEA-S), which is easily measured in blood, may be a potential biomarker of osteoporosis-related phenotypes. However, most previous epidemiologic studies focused on postmenopausal women and reported conflicting results. We aimed to investigate the association between the serum DHEA-S level and bone mass in men. This large cross-sectional study included 1089 healthy Korean men who participated in a routine health screening examination. Bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine, total femur, femur neck, and trochanter and serum DHEA-S level were obtained in all subjects. After adjustment for age, body mass index, lifestyle factors and serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, testosterone, 25-OH-vitamin D3 and cortisol, higher serum DHEA-S concentrations were associated with higher BMD values at all skeletal sites. Consistently, compared to the subjects in the highest DHEA-S quartile (Q4), those in the lowest DHEA-S quartile (Q1) showed significantly lower BMD values. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that the odds ratios for the risk of lower BMD (T-score <-1) increased in a dose-dependent manner across decreasing DHEA-S quartiles and the odds for the risk of lower BMD were 2·59-fold higher in Q1 than in Q4. These findings support previous evidences that DHEA-S has favourable effects on bone mass in men and suggest that a low serum DHEA-S level may be a potential risk factor for male osteoporosis.

Serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate concentration is not a predictive factor in IVF outcomes before the first cycle of GnRH agonist administration in women with normal ovarian reserve.

ObjectiveThe aim of our study was to determine whether serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) concentration and the models incorporating it could help clinicians to predict IVF outcomes in women with normal ovarian reserve undergoing their first long protocol.Study DesignWe performed a retrospective analysis of 459 women undergoing cycles of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for the first time in a long GnRH agonist protocol.ResultsEmbryo transfer was performed in 407 women (88.7%). The fertilisation rate was 78.6%. The clinical pregnancy rate was 44.8% per started cycle and 50.6% per embryo transfer. Our univariate model revealed that the best predictors of clinical pregnancy were the number of mature oocytes, the number of embryos transferred and the number of good quality embryos, account for the clinical parameters that reflect ovarian reserve the best being AMH level and AFC. DHEAS did not predict clinical pregnancy (OR 1.001, 95% CI, 0.999–1.004). After adjusting for the number of embryos transferred and class of embryos in a multivariate model, the best predictors were age (OR 0.918, 95% CI, 0.867–0.972) and AFC (OR 1.022, 95% CI, 0.992–1.053). Serum DHEAS levels were positively correlated with AFC (r = 0.098, P<0.039) and testosterone levels (r = 0.371, P<0.001), as well as the number of mature oocytes (r = 0.109, P<0.019); serum DHEAS levels were negatively correlated with age (r = -0.220, P<0.001), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), (r = -0.116, P<0.015) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), (r = -0.193, P<0.001).ConclusionsDHEAS concentration (in addition to the known factors of ovarian reserve) does not predict clinical pregnancy in women with normal ovarian reserve who are undergoing ICSI.

The Metabolic Change of Serum Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate, Free Fatty Acids and Desaturase Activity in Isolated Post-Challenge Hyperglycemia

The aim of this study is to investigate the association between endogenous dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and fatty acid, desaturase in isolated post-challenge hyperglycemia (IPH) subjects. 241 IPH subjects aged 35 to 70 years participated. Serum DHEA-S concentration was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Fatty acid profiles were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and desaturase activities were expressed by fatty acid product-to-precursor ratios. Relationships were assessed using multiple regression. The results suggested that DHEA-S concentration was negatively associated with palmitic acid (P < 0.001), and positively with γ-linolenic acid and eicosatetraenoic acid in men (P = 0.002 and P = 0.001, respectively), and negatively with palmitic acid (P = 0.037) and positively with docosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid (P = 0.018 and P < 0.001, respectively) in women. In addition, a positive association was observed between DHEA-S and delta-9-desaturase (D9D-18, P = 0.031) in men, and also delta-6-desaturase (D6D, P = 0.034) in women. In Conclusions, there is different DHEA-S, fatty acid profile and the desaturase activities in both genders with the IPH subjects.

Cognitive Function and Salivary DHEA Levels in Physically Active Elderly African American Women.

Serum and plasma dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) concentration has been associated with several health parameters associated with aging including cognitive function, bone mineral density, and muscular strength. However, the effectiveness of salivary DHEA for the prediction of cognitive function, bone mineral density, and muscular strength in older adults is currently unknown. Thirty elderly African American females provided early morning salivary samples and DHEA levels were determined using a commercially available immunoassay. Participants completed testing for psychomotor and executive function via Trail Making Tests (TMT) A and B, respectively. Bone ultrasound attenuation (BUA) was used to bone density and an isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) was used to determine isometric strength. Age significantly correlated with time on TMT A (r=0.328) and B (r=0.615) but was not related to DHEA, BUA, or IMTP outcomes. Elevated DHEA was associated with longer time to completion for TMT A (χ 2 = 5.14) but not to TMT B. DHEA levels were not associated with BUA or IMTP outcomes. While elevated levels of DHEA were correlated with impaired psychomotor function, salivary DHEA is not associated with executive function, bone mineral density, or isometric strength in elderly African American women.

Genetics of neuroendocrine factors in rheumatoid arthritis.

Inadequate production of cortisol related to inflammation and decrease in adrenal androgen production are hallmarks of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-related endocrine findings in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In particular, lower dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels were consistently found in a subset of premenopausal RA females. Recently, several new gene variants have been identified in association with serum DHEAS concentrations, such as in SULT2A1 and HHEX genes. These DHEAS-related genes and other variants involved in HPA regulation may play a role in the adrenal androgen deficiency in RA. The aim of our study was to review involvement of genetic mechanisms of HPA regulation, with focus on adrenal androgens, in the context of RA pathophysiology. Although, effects of the DHEAS-related gene variants appear to be relatively small compared to other well-known factors such as age, complex interactions between DHEAS-associated genotypes and adrenal androgen hypofunction phenotype may exist in RA. Further studies analyzing specific neuroendocrine phenotype/genotype in RA are needed.

Reference values for serum dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate in healthy children and adolescents with emphasis on the age of adrenarche and pubarche.

Adrenarche is a component of normal pubertal development. Recent decades have witnessed changes in the timing and tempo of puberty in different populations. We aimed to obtain normative data on dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEA-S) secretion in healthy children and to evaluate the age of adrenarche, pubarche and the DHEA-S levels at which pubarche starts in both sexes. Serum DHEA-S concentrations were measured in 531 healthy (291 female) Turkish children aged 1 month-18 years by an automated chemiluminescence method. Pubic hair development was evaluated. DHEA-S concentrations >108·4 nmol/l (40 μg/dl) were regarded as adrenarche. Age-related normative data were constructed. Age at adrenarche and pubarche and the DHEA-S levels at pubarche were estimated using ROC analyses. Serum DHEA-S levels were high in the first 6 months of life then declined below 108·4 nmol/l (40 μg/dl) with a cut-off age of 0·46 years for girls and 0·61 years for boys with 98% and 96% statistical sensitivity. Stable minimum levels were observed for the following 5 years. The cut-off age for DHEA-S levels rising above 108·4 nmol/l (40 μg/dl) was 8·0 and 7·0 years for girls for boys, respectively. DHEA-S levels at transition from Tanner stage P1 to P2 was 90·5 nmol/l (33·4 μg/dl) in girls and 118 nmol/l (43·6 μg/dl) in boys. Median (CI) DHEA-S levels were 170·7(94·8-336) and 244(119·2-357·7) nmo/l [63(35-124) and 90(44-132) μg/dl] in girls and boys, respectively, with Tanner stage P2 pubic hair. We established reference data of serum DHEA-S levels in a large group of children. Currently, adrenarche (DHEA-S>108·4 nmol/l) starts 1 year earlier in boys but higher DHEA-S levels are needed for transition from P1 to P2 in boys.

The presentation of adrenarche is sexually dimorphic and modified by body adiposity.

Adrenarche refers to the onset of increased production of adrenal androgens in childhood leading variably to clinical signs of androgen action. The prevalence and presentation of adrenarche in prepubertal girls and boys is not well known. Our objective was to examine the prevalence and clinical presentation of adrenarche in a population sample of prepubertal children aged less than 9 years. This cross-sectional study included prepubertal children (209 girls and 228 boys; median age 7.6 [range 6.8-8.9] years) taking part in The Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children (PANIC) Study. The prevalence of adrenarche was assessed. The prevalence of any clinical sign of androgen action was higher in girls than in boys (26.1% vs 10.0%; P < .001) and biochemical adrenarche without any clinical sign was less common in girls than in boys (8.1% vs 16.7%; P = .007). When premature adrenarche was defined by serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentration ≥1 μmol/L (≥37 μg/dL) and any clinical sign before the age of 8 years in girls and 9 years in boys, its total prevalence was 8.6% in girls and 1.8% in boys. The risk of having any clinical sign increased with higher body fat percentage in boys and with higher serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentration in girls. Clinical signs of androgen action are more common, but biochemical adrenarche without any clinical sign is less common in prepubertal girls than boys. This sexual dimorphism of adrenarche might be explained by sex-dependent differences in peripheral androgen metabolism or action that are modified by body fat.

THU0479 Dheas-Associated Genotypes Contribute to Adrenal Androgen Hypofunction in RA

BackgroundLower levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) were found in chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), however, mechanisms for this decrease remains unclear. Recently, several genes has been found...

Predictive value of androgens and multivariate model for poor ovarian response

No single or multivariate model is effective for predicting poor ovarian response (POR) with satisfactory sensitivity and specificity. This study investigated whether dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) or basal testosterone concentrations could be effective predictors of POR defined by the Bologna criteria. This retrospective study included 79 poor responders and 128 normal responders. Serum FSH, LH, oestradiol, DHEAS and testosterone concentrations on day 3 of the menstrual cycle before the treatment cycle were measured. All patients received standard ovarian stimulation with FSH under pituitary suppression with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist. DHEAS concentration was not significantly different between poor and normal responders or between pregnant and nonpregnant women. Basal testosterone, unlike DHEAS concentration, was predictive, but with limited ability as a single predictor, for POR. The multivariate model composed of age, AFC, FSH, FSH/LH and testosterone was reliably predictive for POR (ROCAUC=0.976, cut-off point >0.51, sensitivity 88.6%, specificity 98.3%) and clinical pregnancy (ROCAUC=0.716, cut-off point ⩽−0.22, sensitivity 75%, specificity 62.5%) and was better than antral follicle count for predicting both POR and clinical pregnancy. This multivariate model might be useful for identifying patients at risk of poor response in order to optimize the stimulation regimens.No single or multivariate model is effective for predicting poor ovarian response (POR) with satisfactory sensitivity and specificity. It has been suggested that androgens stimulate folliculogenesis and their concentrations might be correlated with oocyte yield after ovulation induction. We investigated whether dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) or basal testosterone concentrations could be effective predictors for POR defined by the Bologna criteria. This is a retrospective study with 79 poor responders and 128 normal responders. Serum FSH, LH, oestradiol, DHEAS and testosterone on day 3 of the menstrual cycle before the treatment cycle were measured. All patients received standard ovarian stimulation with FSH under pituitary suppression with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist. DHEAS concentration was not significantly different between poor and normal responders or between pregnant and nonpregnant women. Basal testosterone, instead of DHEAS, was predictive, but with limited ability as a single predictor, for POR. However, the multivariate model of (0.563×Zage)−(0.505×ZAFC)+(0.506×ZFSH)+(0.34×ZFSH/LH)−(0.24×Ztestosterone) (ZXi=standardized values of variables) was reliably predictive for POR (ROCAUC=0.976) and pregnancy (ROCAUC=0.716) and was better than antral follicle count for predicting both POR and pregnancy. This multivariate model composed of age, AFC, FSH, FSH/LH and testosterone might be useful for identifying patients at risk of poor response in order to optimize the stimulation regimens.