DEVELOPMENTAL PATTERNS OF SERUM 3-ALPHA-ANDROSTANEDIOL GLUCURONIDE

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 alpha diolG levels throughout childhood and adolescence with males sh owing significantly higher levels of the androgen than females (p < 0. 05). 3 alpha diolG serum levels (nmol/l +/- SD) correlated significant ly with pubertal stage (p < 0.01). Interestingly, in 35 children with CAH serum 3 alpha diolG levels correlated well with clinical and metab olic status, i.e. 170HP serum levels. In summary, we have established percentile curves for 3 alpha diolG levels in healthy children and ado lescents. We hypothesize that on the basis of our reference values the single measurement of serum 3 alpha diolG could serve as a means to d etermine androgen status in children with disorders of puberty and sex ual development. (C) 1997, Editrice Kurtis.