Abstract
Salivary Testosterone (ST) levels have been measured in boys from the Edinburgh Longitudinal Growth Study. 84 controls (46, XY) aged 7-16 yrs, 7 47, XYY and 16 47, XXY boys (aged 6-19 yrs) identified by cytogenetic screening of the newborn, collected six samples over one day (9am-9pm) for 4 months, then 8 and 16 months later. ST concentrations were measured by RIA# and correlated closely (r=0.88) with 18 matched plasma samples. Normal ranges were constructed by individual curve fitting. A diurnal rhythm was present prepubertally, but developed fully by G3 (9am +76%; 9pm - 32% of daily mean). ST profiles from the XYY boys did not differ from the controls. The mean ST level of prepubertal XXY boys (33.5pmol/l) was higher (p<0.05) than the controls (18.7pmol/l) and greater in chose four boys with height velocity >90th centile (37.5pmol/l). 24 hour urinary adrenal androgen metabolites in these boys were analysed by GLC at Ninewells Hospital and were not elevated. The mean ST of 6 XXY boys at G5PH5 (119.8pmol/l) was lower than the normal range (149.3-235.4pmol/l). Four received oral testosterone undecanoate (TU). Repeating ST profiles allowed individual dosage adjustment (40-120mg daily). Early results show TU therapy to be associated with a reduction in skinfold thicknesses, but not to prevent transient gynaecomastia. Measurement of ST is a sensitive non-invasive method for serial monitoring of gonadal function.
#Walker RF et al. Int. J. Androl. 1980; 3: 105.
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Butler, G., Walker, R., Walker, R. et al. 122 THE ASSESSMENT OF GONADAL FUNCTION IN XXY AND XYY BOYS USING SERIAL SALIVARY TESTOSTERONE SAMPLING. Pediatr Res 24, 537 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198810000-00143
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198810000-00143