An easy and reliable radioimmunoassay of serum androstenedione: Age-related normal values in 252 females aged 2 to 70 years

Abstract

A simple, non-chromatographic radioimmunoassay for the measurement of androstenedione (A-dione) in serum and based on a commercially available antiserum is described. The antibody-bound fraction was separated from the free fraction by a gel-centrifugation procedure. The method was used to establish reference values for normal females, based on determination in 252 normal females from 2 to 70 years of age.

The data support the statement that the decline with age after puberty in the overall production of A-dione is mainly caused by a reduction in the adreno-derived A-dione, since the mean concentration of A-dione in age-matched pre- and postmenopausal women was very similar.

Key Words:

• ageing
• androgen
• hormone
• menopause