Sex hormones and their receptors in patients with age-related cataract.

PURPOSE To determine the sex hormone levels in the serum and aqueous humor in patients with age-related cataract and the corresponding hormone receptors in cataract lens epithelial cells (LECs). SETTING Research Laboratory, International Intraocular Implant Training Center, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China. METHODS Serum and aqueous humor were drawn from patients with cataract and a control group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the levels of estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone in the serum and the aqueous. The anterior lens capsules with attached LECs were obtained during cataract surgery, and the expressions of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, or androgen receptor were examined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS The testosterone level in the serum was significantly higher in the control group than in the cataract group. In the cataract group, there was no difference between sexes in the serum levels of estradiol or progesterone; however, the testosterone level in men was significantly higher than in women. The aqueous level of each hormone was lower than in serum; however, there was no difference between sexes and no association with corresponding serum levels. No estrogen, progesterone, or androgen receptor was detected in the LECs of patients with age-related cataract. CONCLUSIONS There was no statistical difference between men and women or between the cataract and control groups in the levels of estradiol or progesterone in serum. There was no between-sex difference in the aqueous levels. It appears that sex hormone levels can be regarded only as a risk factor for cataractogenesis, not as a key factor.