SERUM 5α-DIHYDROTESTOSTERONE AND TESTOSTERONE CHANGES WITH AGE IN MAN

Abstract

Serum 5.alpha.-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and testosterone (T) were measured in 98 normal adult men aged between 20-80 yr, separating T and DHT by TLC and using a sensitive and reliable radioimmunoassay. In 3 age groups between 20-40, 40-60 and 60-80, the means .+-. SE of the mean for serum DHT were 84 .+-. 4, 79 .+-. 3 and 67 .+-. 3 (ng/100 ml) respectively. The corresponding values for T were 559 .+-. 25, 491 .+-. 25 and 475 .+-. 28 (ng/100 ml). A significant decrease was observed in the DHT level of the 60-80 yr age group compared to either the 20-40 (P < 0.01) or the 40-60 (P < 0.02) age groups. There was a moderate decline in the T level of the 60-80 yr age group compared to 20-40 yr (P < 0.05), but there were no significant changes in the testosterone levels between other groups.