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

Abstract

ABSTRACT Serum 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and testosterone (T) were measured in 98 normal adult men aged between 20–80 years, separating T and DHT by thin layer chromatography and using a sensitive and reliable radioimmunoassay. In three age groups between 20–40, 40–60 and 60–80, the means ± sem for serum DHT were 84 ± 4, 79 ± 3 and 67 ± 3 (ng/100 ml) respectively. The corresponding values for testosterone were 559 ± 25, 491 ± 25 and 475 ± 28 (ng/100 ml). A significant decrease was observed in the DHT level of the 60–80 years 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 testosterone level of the 60–80 years age group compared to 20–40 years (P < 0.05) but there were no significant changes in the testosterone levels between other groups.