Weak Correlations Between Serum and Cerebrospinal Fluid Levels of Estradiol, Progesterone, and Testosterone in Males

The study examined the correlation between serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone in 22 males without cerebral disorders. It found weak to very weak correlations between these hormone levels in serum and CSF, with Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients below 0.3, indicating that peripheral concentrations do not necessarily reflect central compartment levels. This suggested that serum levels may not be reliable indicators of neuropeptide activity in the CSF, highlighting the complexity of steroid metabolism and the challenges in studying neuroactive steroids in humans. Further research was recommended to explore the potential of serum levels as biomarkers for CSF or brain hormone concentrations.