Serum sex steroids, gonadotrophins and sex hormone-binding globulin in prostatic hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia [BPH] develops in elderly males when serum androgens are relatively lower than in healthy younger males, but it is not well understood whether and how sex steroids are altered in prostatic hyperplasia. It is also uncertain whether there is any change in sex steroid levels in males older than 40 years of age. The use of androgens in elderly males is often discouraged because of the probable worsening effect of androgens on prostatism. This study aimed to determine the relationship between prostatic hyperplasia and sex steroid levels and whether there is any significant change in these hormones after the age of 40 years. We studied healthy males of age 240 years with [n=92] or without [n=93] clinical prostatic hyperplasia. Serum testosterone, estradiol, gonadotrophins and sex hormone-binding globulin [SHBG] were compared. The hormones and SHBG were also correlated with age. No significant difference was found in any hormone in cases with prostatic hyperplasia as compared with the controls. There was no significant age-related change in any hormone except estradiol where as a negative correlation [P<.003] with age was found. Serum sex steroids and SHBG remained unchanged in symptomatic prostatic hyperplasia and except for estradiol there was no significant age-related change in serum testosterone, gonadotrophins and SHBG in healthy males after the fourth decade. More studies are needed to confirm the age-related decline of estrogens in males

Gonadal hormones and gonadotrophins in healthy males beyond forty years

To determine and compare the sex hormones, gonadotrophins and sex hormone binding globulin [SHBG] in healthy males of different age groups. One hundred eighty five consecutive healthy nonobese males of age 40-90 years were studied. Serum samples were assayed for total testosterone, estradiol, LH, FSH and SHBG estimation by radioimmunometric method. The subjects were divided into five age groups and the mean serum concentrations of each parameter were compared among the groups. No significant difference in the mean serum concentrations of total testosterone, SHBG, LH and FSH was found among the different age groups[p> 0.05 by Anova]. Significant age related decrease was found in the serum estradiol concentration [p< 0.05] by both Anova and Pearson's Correlation test. There is no significant age related change in serum total testosterone, gonadotrophin and SHBG concentrations in healthy males beyond forty years. Significant age related decrease in serum estradiol needs further studies