Gonadal hormones and gonadotrophins in healthy males beyond forty years.

OBJECTIVE To determine and compare the sex hormones, gonadotrophins and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in healthy males of different age groups. METHODS One hundred eighty five consecutive healthy nonobese males of age 40-90 years were studied. Serum samples were assayed for total testosterone, estradiol, LH, FSH and SHBG estimation by radioimmunometric method. The subjects were divided into five age groups and the mean serum concentrations of each parameter were compared among the groups. RESULTS No significant difference in the mean serum concentrations of total testosterone, SHBG, LH and FSH was found among the different age groups(p> 0.05 by Anova). Significant age related decrease was found in the serum estradiol concentration (p< 0.05) by both Anova and Pearson's Correlation test. CONCLUSION There is no significant age related change in serum total testosterone, gonadotrophin and SHBG concentrations in healthy males beyond forty years. Significant age related decrease in serum estradiol needs further studies.