Skip to main content
Log in

Free plasma testosterone levels during the normal menstrual cycle

  • Published:
Journal of Endocrinological Investigation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This report describes the free or unbound testosterone levels in ten normal females during the menstrual cycle, using a simplified technique of equilibrium dialysis of undiluted plasma. Total testosterone concentration fell progressively during the menstrual cycle, whereas the percent free testosterone increased from the follicular to the luteal phase. Free testosterone levels also fell but only significantly at the late luteal phase. For comparison two patients with anovulatory cycles were evaluated. Progesterone displacement of endogenous testosterone from its binding protein(s) was suggested by in vitro studies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Siiteri P.K., Murai J.T., Hammond G.L., Nisker J.A., Raymoure W., Kuhn R.W. The serum transport of steroid hormones. Recent Prog. Horm. Res. 38: 457, 1930.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Guerrero R., Aso T., Brenner P.T., Cekan Z., Landgren B.-M., Hagenfeldt K., Diczfalusy E. Studies on the pattern of circulating steroids in the normal cycle. Acta Endocrinol. (Kbh.) 81: 133, 1976.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Kyian T.S., Wajchenberg B.L Padronizagao do método de radioimunoensaio de 17-beta-estradiol (E2) plasmatico a sua aplicaçao ao estudo de secreçao de E2 em mulheres normais durante o ciclo menstrual. Arq. Bras. Endocrinol. Metabol. 24: 125, 1980.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Achando S.S., Wajchenberg B.L. Desenvolvimento de técnicas de medida dos andrògenos plamaticos: testosterona (T), diidrotestosterona (DHT), androstenediona (A) e deidroepiandrosterona (DHEA), por radioimunoensaio a sua avaliagao em adultos normais de ambos os sexos. Arq. Bras. Endocrinol. Metabol. 24: 65, 1980.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Wajchenberg B.L., Sugawara S.H., Mesquita C.H., Lerario A.C., Wachslicht H., Pieroni R.R., Mattar E. Comparison of plasma progesterone assay in women by competitive protein binding (CPB) and radioimmunoassay (RIA). Clin. Chim. Acta 68: 67, 1976.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Kley K.K., Bartmann E., Krüskemper H.L. A simple and rapid method to measure non-protein-bound fractions of cortisol, testosterone and oestradiol, by equilibrium dialysis: comparison with centrifugal filtration. Acta Endocrinol. (Kbh.) 85: 209, 1977.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Mathor M.B., Wajchenberg B.L. A simplified method for the calculation of unbound or free testosterone by equilibrium dialysis of undiluted plasma. Clin. Chim. Acta 145: 213, 1985.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Armitage P. Analysis of variance In: Statistical methods in medical research. Blackwell Scientific Publication., Oxford, 1977, p. 189.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Snedecor G.W., Cochran W.G. Analysis of variance. In: Statistical methods. The Iowa State University Press., Ames, Iowa, U.S.A. 1972, p. 268.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Sokal R.R., Rohlf F.J. Regression. In: Biometry - The principles and practice of statistics in biological research. Freeman, W.H. and Co., San Francisco, California, U.S.A., 1969, p. 430.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Abraham G.E. Ovarian and adrenal contribution to peripheral androgens during the menstrual cycle. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 39: 340, 1974.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Frblich M., Brand E.C., Van Hall E.V. Serum level of unconjugated aetiocholanolone, androstenedione, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, aldosterone, progesterone and oestrogens in the normal cycle. Acta Endocrinol. (Kbh). 81: 548, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Motohashi T., Wu C.-H., Abdel-Rahman H.A., Marymor N., Mikhail G. Estrogen/androgen balance in health and disease. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 135: 80, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Stumpf P.G., Nakamura R.M., Mishel Jr., D.R. Changes in physiologically free circulating estradiol and testosterone during exposure to levonorgestrel. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 52: 138, 1981.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Anderson D.C. Sex-hormone binding globulin. Clin. Endocrinol. (Oxf.) 3: 69, 1974.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Victor A., Weiner E., Johansson E.D.B. Relation between sex hormone binding globulin and D-norgestrel levels in plasma. Acta Endocrinol. (Kbh.) 86: 430, 1977.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Dunn J.F., Nisula B.C., Rodbard D. Transport of steroid hormones: Binding of 21 endogenous steroids to both testosterone-binding globulin and corticosteroid-binding globulin in human plasma. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 53: 58, 1981.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Serio M., Dell’Acqua S., Calabresi E., Fiorelli G., Forti G., Cattaneo S., Lucisano A., Lombardi G., Pazzagli M., Borrelli D. Androgens in ovarian venous blood. In: James V.H.T., Serio M., Giusti G. (Eds.), The endocrine function of the human ovary. Serono Symposia, Academic Press, London, 1976, vol. 7, p. 471.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mathor, M.B., Achado, S.S., Wajchenberg, B.L. et al. Free plasma testosterone levels during the normal menstrual cycle. J Endocrinol Invest 8, 437–441 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03348533

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03348533

Key-words

Navigation