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Horm Metab Res 2004; 36(1): 62-66
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-814201
Original Clinical
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Changes in Serum Testosterone and Estradiol Concentrations Following Acute Androstenedione Ingestion in Young Women

G.  A.  Brown1 , J.  C.  Dewey1 , J.  A.  Brunkhorst1 , M.  D.  Vukovich2 , D.  S.  King1
  • 1Exercise Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Performance, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
  • 2Human Performance Laboratory, South Dakota State University, Department of HPER, Brooking, SD
Present affiliation of Gregory A. Brown, PhD: Human Performance Laboratory, Dept. of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
Further Information

Publication History

Received 29 October 2002

Accepted after revision 7 July 2003

Publication Date:
25 February 2004 (online)

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Abstract

The effect of androstenedione intake on serum hormone concentrations in women is equivocal. Therefore, we examined the hormonal response to androstenedione intake in healthy young (22.1 ± 0.4 y) women for 4 hours. On day 3 of the follicular phase, subjects ingested placebo, 100, or 300 mg androstenedione in a random, double-blind, cross-over manner. Blood samples were collected before and every 30 min for 240 min after intake. Serum androstenedione concentrations (means ± SE) increased above basal (6.2 ± 0.8 nmol/l) from 60 - 240 min for both 100 mg (22.6 ± 1.0 nmol/l at 240 min) and 300 mg (28.1 ± 1.3 nmol/l at 210 min). Androstenedione intake increased serum total testosterone concentrations above basal (1.2 ± 0.2 nmol/l) from 120 - 240 min (5.5 ± 0.9 nmol/l at 210 min) with 100 mg and from 60 - 240 with 300 mg (10.2 ± 1.6 nmol/l at 210 min). Androstenedione intake also increased serum estradiol concentrations (basal 191 ± 24 pmol/l) at 150 min with 100 mg (237 ± 35 pmol/l) and from 150 - 240 min with 300 mg (reaching 260 ± 32 pmol/l at 240 min). These data indicate that, in contrast to men, androstenedione intake in women increases serum testosterone concentrations.

Key words

Androstenedion - Hormone response - Women

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D. S. King,Ph. D. 

Department of Health and Human Performance, 248 Forker Building · Iowa State University

Ames · Iowa 50011 · USA

Phone: + 1 (515) 294-8429,

Fax: + 1 (515) 294-8740

Email: dsking@iastate.edu