Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Circadian variation in systemic hormone levels in healthy men

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

Abstract

The circadian variation in the levels of Cortisol (C), pregnenolone (Δ5P), 17-hydroxypregnenolone (17-HO-Δ5P), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA), 20 α-dihydroprogesterone (20-HO-P), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-HO-P), androstenedione (A), testosterone (T), 5 α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) as well as of the sulphurylated forms of pregnenolone (Δ5P-S), 17-hydroxypregnenolone (17-HO-Δ5P-S), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA-S), testosterone (T-S) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT-S) was assessed, or re-assessed together with the levels of FSH and LH in peripheral blood samples collected from 12 healthy men at 3-hour intervals during 24 hours. The plasma levels of all unconjugated steroids and of Δ5P-S exhibited a significant circadian rhythm. No circadian variation was found in the levels of the other sulphurylated steroids or of FSH and LH. The relative amplitudes of the variation were: 17-HO-Δ5P: 310%, C: 290%, DHA: 210%, A: 170%, 17-HO-P: 110%, DHT: 73%, T: 65%, Δ5P-S: 59%, and 20-HO-P: 21%. The individual peak values of 17-HO-P, 20-HO-P, T and DHT were more scattered than those of C and A, or of the Δ5-steroids. A significant correlation was found between the levels of C, on the one hand, and those of Δ5P, 17-HO-Δ5P and DHA, on the other hand, and also between the levels of A and those of 17-HO-Δ5P and DHA. Furthermore, the levels of T were significantly correlated to those of 17-HO-P; however, no correlation was found between the levels of these two steroids and those of any other hormonal parameter studied. The insertion of a short catheter at 18.00 h resulted in an extra peak in C levels in 5 subjects. This was associated with a simultaneous peak in Δ5P, 17-HO-Δ5P, DHA and A levels, but not in those of 17-HO-P, T and DHT. It is concluded that in men the circadian rhythm of the major gonadal steroids is independent of the rhythm of adrenal steroids.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Pincus G. A diurnal rhythm in the urinary excretion of ketosteroidsby young men. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 3: 195, 1943.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Bliss E.L, Sandberg A.A., Nelson D.H., EikNes K. The normal levels of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in the peripheral blood of man. J. Clin. Invest. 32: 818, 1953.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Dray F., Reinberg A., Sebaoun J. Rythme biologique de la testosterone libre du plasma chez I’Homme adulte sain: existence d’une variation circadienne. C.R. Acad. Sc. Paris 261: 573, 1965.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Southren A.L, Tochimoto S., Carmody N.C., Isurugi K. Plasma production rates of testosterone in normal adult men and women and in patients with the syndrome of feminizing testes. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 25: 1441, 1965.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. de La Torre B., Noren S., Hedman M., Diczfalusy E. Studies on the relationship between sperm count and steroid levels in the spermatic and cubital veins of patients with varicocele. International Journal of Andrology 1: 297, 1978.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Brenner P.F., Guerrero R., Cekan Z., Diczfalusy E. Radioimmunoassay method for six steroids in human plasma. Steroids 22: 775, 1973.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Aedo A.-R., Landgren B.-M., Cekan Z., Diczfalusy E. Studies on the pattern of circulating steroids in the normal menstrual cycle. 2. Levels of 20cr-dihydroprogesterone, 17-hydroxypregnenolone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone and the assessment of their values for ovulation prediction. Acta Endocrinol. (Kbh.) 82: 600, 1976.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Purvis K., Brenner P.F., Landgren B.-M., Cekan Z., Diczfalusy E. Indices of gonadal function in the human male. I. Plasma levels of unconjugated steroids and gonadrotrophins under normal and pathological conditions. Clin. Endocrinol. (Oxf.) 4: 237, 1975.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Cekan Z. Reliability of steroid radioimmunoassays. Acta Univ. Upsal. 14: 1, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Burstein S., Lieberman S. Hydrolysis of ketosteroid hydrogen sulfates by solvolysis procedures. J. Biol. Chem. 233: 331, 1958.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Jbnsson G., Olsson A.M., Luttrop W., Cekan Z., Purvis K., Diczfalusy E. Treatment of prostatic carcinoma with various types of estrogen derivatives. Vitamins and Hormones 33: 351, 1975.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Kirschner M.A., Lipsett M.B., Collins D.R. Plasmaketosteroids and testosterone in man: A study of the pituitary-testicular axis. J. Clin. Invest. 44: 657, 1965.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Kobayashi T., Lobotsky J., Lloyd C.W. Plasma testosterone and urinary 17-ketosteroids in Japanese and Occidentals. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 26: 610, 1966.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Boon D.A., Keenan R.E., Slaunwhite W.R., Jr. Plasma testosterone in men: Variation, but not circadian rhythm. Steroids 20: 269, 1972.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Alford P., Baker H.W.G., Patel Y.C., Rennie C., Youatt G., Burger H.G., Hudson B. Temporal patterns of circulating hormones as assessed by continuous blood sampling. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 36: 108, 1973.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Saxena B.B., Leyendecker G., Chen W., Gandy H.M., Peterson R.E. Radioimmunoassay of follicle-stimulating (FSH) and luteinizing (LH) hormones by chromatoelectrophoresis. Acta Endocrinol. (Kbh.) Suppl. 142: 185, 1969.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. de Lacerda L., Kowarski A., Johanson A.J., Athanasiou R., Migeon C.J. Integrated concentration and circadian variation of plasma testosterone in normal men. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 37: 366, 1973.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Faiman C., Winter J.S.D. Diurnal cycles in plasma FSH, testosterone and Cortisol in men. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 33: 186, 1971.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Leymarie P., Roger M., Castanier M., Scholler R. Circadian variations in plasma testosterone and estrogens in normal men. A study by frequent sampling. J. Steroid Biochem. 5: 167, 1974.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Rowe P.H., Lincoln G.A., Racey P.A., Lehane J., Stephenson M.J., Shenton J.C., Glover T.D. Temporal variations of testosterone levels in the peripheral blood plasma of men. J. Endocrinol. 61: 63, 1974.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Baker H.W.G., Santen R.J., Burger H.G., de Kretser D.M., Hudson B., Pepperell R.J., Bardin C.W. Rhythms in the secretion of gonadotropins and gonadal steroids. J. Steroid Biochem. 6: 793, 1975

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Southren A.L., Gordon G.G. Rhythms and testosterone metabolism. J. Steroid Biochem. 6: 809, 1975.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. McKenna T.J., Brown R.D. Pregnenolone in man: Plasma levels in states of normal and abnormal steroidogenesis. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 38: 480, 1974.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Pirke K.M., Doerr P. Plasma dihydrotestosterone in normal adult males and its relation to testosterone. Acta Endocrinol. (Kbh) 79: 357, 1975.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Laatikainen T., Vihko R. Diurnal variation in the concentrations of solvolyzable steroids in human plasma. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 28: 1356, 1968.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. 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. 3. Circadian variation in the periovulatory period. Acta Endocrinol. (Kbh.) 84: 320, 1977.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. McKenna T.J., DiPietro D.L., Brown R.D., Strott C.A., Liddle G.W. Plasma 17-HO-pregnenolone in normal subjects. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 39: 833, 1974.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Rosenfeld R.S., Hellman L., Roffwarg H., Weitzman E.D., Fukushima D.K., Gallagher T.F. Dehydroisoandrosterone is secreted episodically and synchronously with Cortisol by normal man. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 33: 87, 1971.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Judd H.L., Parker D.C., Rakoff J.S., Hopper B.R., Yen S.S.C. Elucidation of mechanism(s) of the nocturnal rise of testosterone in men. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 38: 134, 1973.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Rosenfeld R.S., Rosenberg B.J., Fukushima D.K., Hellman L. 24-Hour secretory pattern of dehydroisoandrosterone and dehydroisoandrosterone sulfate. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 40: 850, 1975.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. de Jong F.H., van der Molen H.J. Determination of dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate in human plasma using electron capture detection on 4-androstene-3,6, 17-trione after gas-liquid chromatography. J. Endocrinol. 53: 461, 1972.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Nieschlag E., Loriaux D.L., Ruder H.J., Zucker I.R., Kirschner M.A., Lipsett M.B. The secretion of dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate in man. J. Endocrinol. 57: 123, 1973.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Horth C.E., Craig A.C., Shelton J.R., Palmer R.F., Tidd M.J. Circadian blood follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, thyroxine Cortisol and aldosterone levels measured simultaneously in men. J. Endocrinol. 64: 56P, 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Nillius S.J., Wide L. Effects of estrogen on serum levels of LH and FSH. Acta Endocrinol. (Kbh.) 65: 583, 1970.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Krieger D.T., Ossowski R., Fogel M., Allen W. Lack of circadian periodicity of human serum FSH and LH levels. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 35: 619, 1972.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Boyar R., Perlow M., Hellman L., Kapen S., Weitzman E. Twenty-four hour pattern of luteinizing hormone secretion in normal men with sleep stage recording. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 35: 73, 1972.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Bodenheimer S., Winter J.S.D., Faiman C. Diurnal rhythms of serum gonadotropins, testosterone, estradiol and Cortisol in blind men. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 37: 472, 1973.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Rowe P.H., Racey P.A., Lincoln G.A., Ellwood M., Lehane J., Shenton J.C. The temporal relationship between the secretion of luteinizing hormone and testosterone in man. J. Endocrinol. 64: 17, 1975.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Michael R.P., Setchell K.D.R., Plant T.M. Diurnal changes in plasma testosterone and studies on plasma corticosteroids in non-anaesthetized male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). J. Endocrinol. 63: 325, 1974.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Goodman R.L., Hotchkiss J., Karsch F.J., Knobil E. Diurnal variations in serum testosterone concentrations in the adult male rhesus monkey. Biol. Reprod. 11: 624, 1974.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Swedish Medical Research Council, Reproductive Endocrinology Research Unit, Karolinska sjukhuset, Stockholm, 60, Sweden

    B. Sjöberg, B. de la Torre, M. Hedman, G. Falkay & E. Diczfalusy (Professor)

Authors
  1. B. Sjöberg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. B. de la Torre
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Hedman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. G. Falkay
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. E. Diczfalusy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Holder of a World Health Organization Research Training Grant. Present address: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sjöberg, B., de la Torre, B., Hedman, M. et al. Circadian variation in systemic hormone levels in healthy men. J Endocrinol Invest 2, 131–137 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03349304

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03349304

Key-words

Search

Navigation