AGE AND SEX-RELATED DIFFERENCES IN SERUM LEVELS OF UNCONJUGATED DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE AND ITS SULFATE IN NORMAL SUBJECTS

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) and unconjugated dehydroepiand rosterone (DHEA) have been determined in the blood serum of normal sub jects of both sexes from 1 month to 100 years of age. In total, 92 gir ls, 49 boys, 211 women and 110 men were investigated. The effects of a ge and sex on the levels of the hormones were measured. DHEAS levels d eclined rapidly during the first year of life and were maintained at a minimum level for 5 years. They increased significantly from 6 to 7 y ears of age and reached maximum levels in women at about 24 years and in men at about 30 years of age. They then declined rapidly in both se xes but the fall which occurred after 50 and 60 years of age respectiv ely was only moderate. Age-related unconjugated DHEA levels were diffe rent. After the first month of life DHEA levels were relatively high a nd declined more slowly. The minimum level was observed in girls betwe en 5 and 7 years and in boys between 5 and 9 years of age. A significa nt rise then began and levels reached a maximum in women as well as in men at about 20 years of age. In men levels then declined up to the a ge of 80. In women the DHEA levels declined during the next 15 years a nd from approximately 36 years of age they again rose significantly up to a second peak. A mild but significant decline then resumed. There was a difference in the levels of DHEA and DHEAS depending on sex. Unl ike DHEAS, unconjugated DHEA was higher in women than in men. However, this difference was significant only in some age groups: during puber ty (between 11 and 15 years of age), in the premenopausal period (betw een 36 and 45 years oi age) and in the older group (after 60 years of age). Age- and sex-related dependencies were different between DHEAS a nd DHEA. They indicate the possible variable secretion and dynamics of their (inter)conversion. We have concluded that DHEA measurements can not be a substitute for DHEAS and vice versa.