Plasma Androgens in Children and Adolescents

This study examined plasma androgen levels in 45 patients aged 5.6-23.8 years with growth hormone deficiencies over 1-7 years. It found that mean plasma androgen levels were normal in isolated GH deficiency but lower in those with multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies, especially when ACTH was also deficient. The study suggested that adrenarche and gonadarche are controlled by different mechanisms and proposed the existence of a specific hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal androgen-stimulating hormone (AASH). ACTH was deemed essential for normal adrenarche. The study also noted that induced puberty with estrogens in girls did not affect plasma androgen levels or hair growth, suggesting dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate replacement for girls with hypopituitarism. Body surface was found to be as effective as bone age in interpreting plasma androgens in hypopituitarism.