Hl. Rittner et al., DEVELOPMENTAL PATTERNS OF SERUM 3-ALPHA-ANDROSTANEDIOL GLUCURONIDE, Journal of endocrinological investigation, 20(3), 1997, pp. 138-143
3 alpha-androstanediol glucuronide (3 alpha diolG) is a marker of peri
pheral tissue androgen metabolism. There are no previous data regardin
g complete paediatric reference ranges for 3 alpha diolG. In order to
obtain reference values for 3 alpha diolG we have measured serum level
s of 3 alpha diolG in 283 healthy children and adolescents, 146 boys a
nd 137 girls, age 1 month to 20 years and 28 adults. A non-extraction,
solid phase radioimmunoassay employing a polyclonal antiserum that is
specific for 3 alpha diolG was used to measure serum 3 alpha diolG le
vels (intra assay variation 5.1-10.1%, inter assay variation 2.7-9.0%)
. There was a strong sex and age dependence (r=0.8; p<0.0001) of 3 alp
ha diolG levels throughout childhood and adolescence with males showin
g significantly higher levels of the androgen than females (p<0.05). 3
alpha diolG serum levels (nmol/l+/-SD) correlated significantly with
pubertal stage (p<0.01). Interestingly, in 35 children with CAH serum
3 alpha diolG levels correlated well with clinical and metabolic statu
s, i.e. 17OHP serum levels. In summary, we have established percentile
curves for 3 alpha diolG levels in healthy children and adolescents.
We hypothesize that on the basis of our reference values the single me
asurement of serum 3 alpha diolG could serve as a means to determine a
ndrogen status in children with disorders of puberty and sexual develo
pment. (C) 1997, Editrice Kurtis.