Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Previous studies reported significant associations of steroid hormones with anthropometric parameters including body-mass-index (BMI) and waist circumference, as well as with some metabolic parameters such as triglycerides.

Methods: 48 reproductive age males (age 18–49) were included in the study (27 obese individuals, 12 persons with excess body weight, 9 normal weight controls). We have examined the association between circulating steroid hormones and BMI. Plasma levels of aldosterone, progesterone, DHEA-S, 17-OH, 11-desoxicortisol, 21-desoxicortisol, androstenedione, corticosterone, testosterone and cortisol were quantified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS), which provides high precision and specificity in the low concentration range.

Results: We compared three groups and confirmed statistically significant difference in plasma 17-OH levels (P = 0.005), androstenedione levels (P = 0.048) and testosterone levels (P = 0.0003). Negative correlations were observed between plasma 17-OH concentration and BMI (r = −0.49, P < 0.001), plasma androstenedione and BMI (r = −0.29, P = 0.044), plasma testosterone and BMI (r = −0.66, P < 0.001)

Conclusion: 17-OH, androstenedione and testosterone plasma concentrations were negatively associated with BMI in men of reproductive age. Testosterone deficiency in obesity is well known and is due to aromatization in adipose tissue. Low 17-OH and androstenedione in obesity may reflect the influence of adipose tissue on steroid metabolism as well as on adrenal steroid production.