Effects of gonadal androgens and oestrogens on adrenal androgen levels.

OBJECTIVE

The physiological role of adrenal androgens in humans remains unclear. Furthermore, there are few data on the relation between sex steroids and adrenal androgen production. We have assessed the effects of sex steroid hormone administration on adrenal androgen levels, by studying a large group of transsexual patients.

DESIGN

A non-randomized intervention.

SETTING

A university teaching hospital.

PATIENTS: Thirty-one male-to-female and 22 female-to-male transsexual patients.

MEASUREMENTS: Plasma levels of adrenal androgens were measured in a group of male-to-female and female-to-male transsexual patients both before and during cross-gender hormone treatment. This treatment involves administration of testosterone esters to women and of ethinyloestradiol and cyproterone acetate to men.

RESULTS

High dose sex steroid administration had marked effects on adrenal androgens levels, which decreased by 27-48% in males treated with ethinyloestradiol and increased by 23-70% in females treated with testosterone.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that administration of high doses of testosterone and oestradiol exert opposing effects on adrenal androgen production.