Abstract
Extract: Testosterone, both in a free and in a conjugated form, hydrolyzable by snail β-glucuronidase and sulfatase, was extracted from the urine of children and measured by forming 14C-acetate derivatives. Administration of 3H-labeled testoterone permitted estimation of rates of production. Study of 10 normal prepubertal children (group A), varying in age from 8/12 to 109/12 years, yielded excretion values of 0.3–6.3 μg/24 h (mean 2.1 μg/24 h) and production rates of 16–880 μg/24 h (mean 274 μg/24 h). Mean ratio of excretion to production was 0.6%. A linear correlation between testosterone excretion and age could be demonstrated.
These values were compared with those obtained from 13 children suffering from congential adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) caused by a deficiency of 21-hydroxylase (group B) and with those of 4 children with idiopathic precocious puberty (PP) (group C). In children of group B, increased andregenic activity could be demonstrated. Excretion values of testosterone varied from 11 to 261 μg/24 h (mean 98 μg/24 h). Mean production-to-excretion ratio was 0.6%. It could be calculated, however, that free testosterone secreted by the adrenals represented only a small percentage of the total production. By far the largest part was derived from two other adrenal hormones: androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone. In these cases, however, rates of testosterone production and excretion can still give a valuable indication of the total androgenic activity.
Children in group C showed elevated production values as well: 540–1,900 μ/24 h (mean 1,180 μg/24 h). After receiving HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) for 3 days (3,000 U/24 h) the range was 1,250–3,400 μg/24 h (mean 2,460 μg/24 h).
Speculation: A linear correlation exists between rates of excretion of testosterone and age in prepubertal children. Very young children (less than 12 months of age) may have higher levels. Rates of production of testosterone in urine are more useful than is generally thought.
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Degenhart, H., Visser, H. & Wilmink, R. Excretion and Production of Testosterone in Normal Children, in Children with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, and in Children with Precocious Puberty. Pediatr Res 4, 309–317 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197007000-00001
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197007000-00001
