PDF herunterladen
Semin Reprod Med 2006; 24(2): 071-077
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-939565
Copyright © 2006 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Androgen Physiology

Sonia Louise Davison1 , 2 , Robin Bell1
  • 1Women's Health Program, Department of Medicine, Monash Medical School, Alfred Hospital, Prahran, Victoria, Australia
  • 2Department of Biochemistry, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
Weitere Informationen

Publikationsverlauf

Publikationsdatum:
24. April 2006 (online)

    Lizenzen und Reprints

ABSTRACT

Androgen receptors are present in numerous tissues throughout the female body, and knowledge of the specific actions of androgens at different sites is increasing, along with the understanding of their contribution to various pathophysiological states. This article reviews the physiology of androgens (testosterone and dihydrotestosterone) and immediate androgen precursors (dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEA], dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate [DHEAS], and androstenedione), with specific reference to the androgen receptor, production and metabolism of C-19 steroids, circulating androgen concentrations, and androgen actions. In addition, the evidence for physiological modulation of androgens including circadian variation, cyclical variation, age, and natural menopause is reviewed.

KEYWORDS

Women - androgens - physiology - testosterone

REFERENCES

  • 1 Dunn J F, Nisula B C, Rodboard D. Transport of steroid hormones. Binding of 21 endogenous steroids to both testosterone-binding globulin and cortico-steroid-binding globulin in human plasma.  J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1981;  53 58-68
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Migeon B R, Brown T R, Axelman J, Migeon C J. Studies of the locus for androgen receptor: localization on the human X chromosome and evidence for homology with the Tfm locus in the mouse.  Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1981;  78(10) 6339-6343
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Grino P B, Griffin J E, Wilson J D. Testosterone at high concentrations interacts with the human androgen receptor similarly to dihydrotestosterone.  Endocrinology. 1990;  126(2) 1165-1172
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Smith P, Heimer G, Norgren A, Ulmsten U. Localization of steroid hormone receptors in pelvic muscles.  Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 1993;  50 83-85
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Bonne C, Saurat J H, Chivot M, Lehuchet D, Raynaud J P. Androgen receptor in human skin.  Br J Dermatol. 1977;  97(5) 501-503
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Waliszewski P, Blaszczyk M, Wolinska-Witort E, Drews M, Snochowski M, Hurst R E. Molecular study of sex steroid receptor gene expression in human colon and in colorectal carcinomas.  J Surg Oncol. 1997;  64(1) 3-11
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Marsh J D, Lehmann M H, Ritchie R H, Gwathmey J K, Green G E, Schiebinger R J. Androgen receptors mediate hypertrophy in cardiac myocytes.  Circulation. 1998;  98(3) 256-261
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 McEwen B S. Gonadal hormone receptors in the developing adult brain: relationship to the regulatory phenotype. In: Ellendorff F, Gluckman PD, Parvizi N Fetal Neuroendocrinology. Ithaca, NY; Perinatology Press 1984: 149-159
    Google Scholar
  • 9 Abu E O, Horner V, Kusec V, Triffitt J T, Compston J E. The localization of androgen receptors in human bone.  J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1997;  82(10) 3493-3497
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Joyner J, Hutley L, Cameron D. Intrinsic regional differences in androgen receptors and dihydrotestosterone metabolism in human preadipocytes.  Horm Metab Res. 2002;  34(5) 223-228
    Artikel in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Sajjad Y, Quenby S M, Nickson P, Lewis-Jones D I, Vince G. Expression of androgen receptors in upper human fetal reproductive tract.  Hum Reprod. 2004;  19 1659-1665
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 McCormick P D, Razel A J, Spelsberg T C, Coulam C B. Evidence for an androgen receptor in the human placenta.  Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1981;  140(1) 8-13
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Sullivan D A, Edwards J A. Androgen stimulation of lacrimal gland function in mouse models of Sjogren's syndrome.  J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 1997;  60(3-4) 237-245
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Burger H G. Androgen production in women.  Fertil Steril. 2002;  77(suppl 4) S3-S5
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Southren A, Gordon G, Tochimoto S. Further study of factors affecting the metabolic clearance rate of testosterone in man.  J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1968;  28(8) 1105-1112
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Abraham G E. Ovarian and adrenal contribution to peripheral androgens during the menstrual cycle.  J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1974;  39(2) 340-346
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Kirschner M AA, Bardin C W. Androgen production and metabolism in normal and virilized women.  Metabolism. 1972;  21 667-688
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Longcope C. Adrenal and gonadal androgen secretion in normal females.  Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1986;  15(2) 213-228
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Wieland R G, Decourcy C, Levy R P, Zala A P, Hirschmann H. C-19-O-2 steroids and some of their precursors in blood from normal human adrenals.  J Clin Invest. 1965;  44 159-168
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Vermeulen A. The hormonal activity of the postmenopausal ovary.  J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1976;  42(2) 247-253
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Vermeulen A. Androgen secretion after age 50 in both sexes.  Horm Res. 1983;  18(1-3) 37-42
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Longcope C, Hunter R, Franz C. Steroid secretion by the postmenopausal ovary.  Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1980;  138(5) 564-568
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Judd H L, Judd G, Lucas W E, Yen S SC. Endocrine function of the postmenopausal ovary. Concentrations of androgens and estrogens in ovarian and peripheral venous blood.  J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1974;  39 1020-1024
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Couzinet B, Meduri G, Lecce M G et al.. The postmenopausal ovary is not a major androgen-producing gland.  J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2001;  86(10) 5060-5066
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Davison S L, Bell R, Donath S, Montalto J G, Davis S R. Androgen levels in adult females: changes with age, menopause, and oophorectomy.  J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2005;  90(7) 3847-3853
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Bulun S E, Simpson E R, Competitive R. T-PCR analysis indicates levels of aromatase cytochrome P450 transcripts in adipose tissue of buttocks, thighs and abdomen of women increase with advancing age.  J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1994;  78 428-432
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Bixo M, Backstrom T, Winblad B, Andersson A. Estradiol and testosterone in specific regions of the human female brain in different endocrine states.  J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 1995;  55 297-303
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Van Goozen S HM, Cohen-Kettensis P T, Gooren L IG, Frijda N H, Van de Poll N E. Gender differences in behaviour: activating effects of cross-sex hormones.  Psychoneuroendocrinology. 1995;  20 343-363
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Slemenda C, Longcope C, Peacock M, Hui S, Johnston C C. Sex steroids, bone mass, and bone loss. A prospective study of pre-, peri-, and postmenopausal women 1.  J Clin Invest. 1996;  97(1) 14-21
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Wild R A, Buchanan J R, Myers C, Demers L M. Declining adrenal androgens: an association with bone loss in aging women.  Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1987;  186(3) 355-360
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 31 Sirinathsinghji D J, Mills I H. Concentration patterns of plasma dehydroepiandrosterone, delta 5-androstenediol and their sulphates, testosterone and cortisol in normal healthy women and in women with anorexia nervosa.  Acta Endocrinol (Copenh). 1985;  108(2) 255-260
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 32 Mikulecky M, Kreze A, Putz Z, Moravcik M. Daily variation of serum cortisol, 17-hydroxyprogesterone and five androgens in healthy women 1.  Braz J Med Biol Res. 1995;  28(4) 485-490
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 33 Aedo A R, Landgren B M, Diczfalusy E. Studies on ovarian and adrenal steroids at different phases of the menstrual cycle: II. A comparative assessment of the circadian variation in steroid and lutropin levels during the follicular, periovulatory and luteal phases.  Contraception. 1981;  23(4) 407-424
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 34 Aedo A R, Nunez M, Landgren B M, Cekan S Z, Diczfalusy E. Studies on the pattern of circulating steroids in the normal menstrual cycle. Circadian variation in the peri-ovulatory period 1.  Acta Endocrinol (Copenh). 1977;  84(2) 320-332
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 35 Lobotsky J, Lloyd C W. Variations in the concentrations of androstenedione in peripheral plasma of women the day and during the menstrual cycle 1.  Steroids. 1973;  22(1) 133-137
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 36 Givens J R, Andersen R N, Ragland J B, Wiser W L, Umstot E S. Adrenal function in hirsutism I. Diurnal change and response of plasma androstenedione, testosterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, cortisol, LH and FSH to dexamethasone and 1/2 unit of ACTH 6.  J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1975;  40(6) 988-1000
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 37 Rosenfield R L, Helke J C. Small diurnal and episodic fluctuations of the plasma free testosterone level in normal women 6.  Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1974;  120(4) 461-465
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 38 Strickler R C, Wiest W G, Borth R, Woolever C A. Daily and circadian variations in serum free testosterone levels are not clinically significant.  Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1981;  140(3) 317-321
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 39 Tyler J P, Newton J R, Collins W P. Variations in the concentration of testosterone in peripheral venous plasma from healthy women 1.  Acta Endocrinol (Copenh). 1975;  80(3) 542-550
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 40 Valette A, Seradour B, Boyer J. Plasma testosterone levels during the menstrual cycle 8.  J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1975;  40(1) 160-161
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 41 Davison S L, Bell R, Montalto J G et al.. Measurement of total testosterone in women: comparison of a direct radioimmunoassay versus radioimmunoassay after organic solvent extraction and celite column partition chromatography.  Fertil Steril. 2005;  84(6) 1698-1704
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 42 Lonning P E, Dowsett M, Jacobs S, Schem B, Hardy J, Powles T J. Lack of diurnal variation in plasma levels of androstenedione, testosterone, estrone and estradiol in postmenopausal women.  J Steroid Biochem. 1989;  34 551-553
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 43 Vermeulen A, Verdonck L. Plasma androgen levels during the menstrual cycle 1.  Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1976;  125(4) 491-494
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 44 Guerrero R, Aso T, Brenner P F et al.. Studies on the pattern of circulating steroids in the normal menstrual cycle. I. Simultaneous assays of progesterone, pregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, androstenedione, oestradiol and oestrone 1.  Acta Endocrinol (Copenh). 1976;  81(1) 133-149
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 45 Ahmad N, Pollard T M, Unwin N. The optimal timing of blood collection during the menstrual cycle for the assessment of endogenous sex hormones: can interindividual differences in levels over the whole cycle be assessed on a single day? 2.  Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2002;  11(1) 147-151
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 46 Frolich M, Brand E C, van Hall E V. Serum levels of unconjugated aetiocholanolone androstenedione, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, aldosterone, progesterone and oestrogens during the normal menstrual cycle 1.  Acta Endocrinol (Copenh). 1976;  81(3) 548-562
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 47 Judd H L, Yen S S. Serum androstenedione and testosterone levels during the menstrual cycle 1.  J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1973;  36(3) 475-481
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 48 Sinha-Hikim I, Arver S, Beall G et al.. The use of a sensitive equilibrium dialysis method for the measurement of free testosterone levels in healthy, cycling women and in human immunodeficiency virus-infected women 1.  J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1998;  83(4) 1312-1318
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 49 Stahl F, Dorner G, Rohde W, Schott G. Total and free testosterone and total and free 17 beta-oestradiol in normally menstruating women 1.  Endokrinologie. 1976;  68(1) 112-114
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 50 Epstein M T, McNeilly A S, Murray M A, Hockaday T D. Plasma testosterone and prolactin in the menstrual cycle 1.  Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 1975;  4(5) 531-535
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 51 Goebelsmann U, Arce J J, Thorneycroft I H, Mishell Jr D R. Serum testosterone concentrations in women throughout the menstrual cycle and following HCG administration.  Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1974;  119(4) 445-452
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 52 Wathen N C, Perry L, Hodgkinson S, Chard T. The relationship between prolactin, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and testosterone in normally menstruating females.  Acta Endocrinol (Copenh). 1985;  109(2) 173-175
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 53 Elliott K J, Cable N T, Reilly T, Diver M J. Effect of menstrual cycle phase on the concentration of bioavailable 17-beta oestradiol and testosterone and muscle strength 1.  Clin Sci (Lond). 2003;  105(6) 663-669
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 54 Briggs M, Briggs M. Plasma hormone concentrations in women receiving steroid contraceptives 1.  J Obstet Gynaecol Br Commonw. 1972;  79(10) 946-950
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 55 Migeon C J, Keller A R, Lawrence B, Shepart II T H. Dehydroandrosterone and androsterone levels in human plasma. Effect of age and sex: day to day and diurnal variations.  J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1957;  17 1051-1062
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 56 Bancroft J, Cawood E H. Androgens and the menopause; a study of 40-60-year-old women 1.  Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 1996;  45(5) 577-587
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 57 Burger H G, Dudley E C, Hopper J L et al.. The endocrinology of the menopausal transition: a cross-sectional study of a population-based sample 1.  J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1995;  80(12) 3537-3545
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 58 Pasquali R, Vicennati V, Bertazzo D et al.. Determinants of sex hormone-binding globulin blood concentrations in premenopausal and postmenopausal women with different estrogen status. Virgilio-Menopause-Health Group.  Metabolism. 1997;  46(1) 5-9
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 59 Carlstrom K, Brody S, Lunell N O et al.. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and dehydroepiandrosterone in serum: differences related to age and sex.  Maturitas. 1988;  10(4) 297-306
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 60 Randolph Jr J F, Sowers M, Gold E B et al.. Reproductive hormones in the early menopausal transition: relationship to ethnicity, body size, and menopausal status.  J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2003;  88(4) 1516-1522
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar

Dr. Sonia DavisonM.B.B.S. FRACP 

Women's Health Program, Monash Medical School

Alfred Hospital, Commercial Road, Prahran, Victoria, 3181, Australia

eMail: Sonia.Davison@med.monash.edu.au