Plasma Testosterone and Urinary 17-Ketosteroids in Japanese and Occidentals1

Abstract

Because of racial differences in body hair, a comparison of plasma testosterone and urinary 17-ketosteroids in Japanese and occidental males and females was made. The Japanese women studied had been living either in Japan or in the USA for several years. All the males lived in the USA. There was no difference in the mean values of plasma testosterone of either males or females. No variation was shown in plasma testosterone in ambulatory subjects (6 males and 2 females) in specimens taken at 9 AM and 5 or 9 PM. The 17-keto-steroid excretion of the Japanese males was 6.2[plus or minus]1.0 (SD) mg/m2/24 hr. and of the occidental males, 9.4[plus or minus]2.2 (SD) mg/m2/24 hr. (p< .001). That of the Japanese females was 5.7[plus or minus]0.5 mg/m2/24 hr. and of the occidental females, 7.7[plus or minus]1.9 (SD) mg/m2/24 hr. (p< .005).