SEX-HORMONES AND LIPOPROTEINS IN ADOLESCENT MALE OFFSPRING OF PARENTSWITH PREMATURE CORONARY HEART-DISEASE AND A CONTROL-GROUP

Objective: To compare pubertal maturation, sex steroid hormones, and l ipoproteins and their interrelationships in male offspring of parents with premature coronary heart disease (cases) and a control group. Des ign: This was a cross-sectional comparison of cases and members of a c ontrol group 10 to 15 years of age. Subjects and methods: Offspring we re recruited from patient lists of area physicians. Members of the con trol group were recruited from area schools. Body mass (kg/m(2)), seru m lipids, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins, estradiol, and free testoster one were measured. Results: Differences in age were not significant, b ut offspring were taller, heavier, and more mature. Offspring had high er total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Offspring had lower estradiol levels in early puberty but higher levels in late puberty. W ith family history and body mass in the regression models for lipid pa rameters, free testosterone was a significant explanatory factor for t otal cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-densit y lipoprotein, and estradiol was a significant predictor for apolipopr otein B. The percent of the variance in the lipid parameters explained by testosterone and estradiol was small. Conclusion: Sex hormone conc entrations appear to be modest but significant predictors of lipoprote in and apolipoprotein concentrations in offspring and a control group in cross-sectional analysis. After controlling for pubertal maturation , hormone and lipid concentrations differed in offspring and the contr ol group.