Abstract
In males with diabetes mellitus presenting in childhood, puberty may be delayed. Serum androgens (SA), chronological age (CA), bone maturation (BA) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) capacity of sera were recorded in 58 male juvenile diabetics aged 5.2/12 – 19.3/12. Tanner pubertal rating and SHBG capacities were assessed in all. SA (predominantly testosterone) were measured in 57 by radioimmunoassay and BA were obtained in 46 patients. Taking all the patients together, statistically significant correlations were demonstrable between the following parameters:- CA:SA r= 0.75 p = < .001, BA:SA r=0.72 p < .001 (exponential regression), SHBG:SA r= (−)0.36 p =<.01. On average, androgens rose progressively with CA and BA. The SHBG capacity fell, coincident with increasing BA and rising SA levels. 9 patients had low SHBG capacities suggesting poor binding or failure of protein synthesis. When the ratio BA was plotted vs. SA, 13 patients (28%) aged 8.6/12
−15.11/12 showed evidence of retarded BA, which in all but 2 coincided with SHBG capacities in keeping with values for prepubertal children. In the older patients of this group, the SA were significantly lower than levels expected for their CA. This data supports the view that retarded BA in some male diabetics is related to low androgen production and changing SHBG capacities.
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Rudd, B., Rayner, P., Jivani, S. et al. SERUM ANDROGENS, SEX HORMONE BINDING GLOBULIN AND BONE AGE IN JUVENILE DIABETICS. Pediatr Res 9, 673 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197508000-00055
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197508000-00055