QUANTITATIVE GENETICS OF DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE-SULFATE AND ITS RELATION TO POSSIBLE CARDIOVASCULAR-DISEASE RISK-FACTORS IN MEXICAN-AMERICANS

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) is an adrenal steroid which has been inversely associated with development of atherosclerosis. We est imated heritability of serum DHEAS levels in 564 related Mexican Ameri cans, We found a significant heritability for DHEAS (h(2) = 0.39, p < 0.001). Measures of alcohol consumption, reproductive status, body com position, and HDL(3) levels showed significant relationships with seru m DHEAS levels, Sex and age were significantly associated with the mea n, but not the genetic variance, of DHEAS levels, The results of this study demonstrate a significant genetic influence on steroid concentra tion and help to quantify the factors contributing to cardiovascular d isease risk in Mexican Americans.