Changes in Serum Testosterone and Estradiol Concentrations Following Acute Androstenedione Ingestion in Young Women

Abstract

The effect of androstenedione intake on serum hormone concentrations in women is equivocal. Therefore, we examined the hormonal response to androstenedione intake in healthy young (22.1 +/- 0.4 y) women for 4 hours. On day 3 of the follicular phase, subjects ingested placebo, 100, or 300 mg androstenedione in a random, double-blind, cross-over manner. Blood samples were collected before and every 30 min for 240 min after intake. Serum androstenedione concentrations (means +/- SE) increased above basal (6.2 +/- 0.8 nmol/l) from 60-240 min for both 100 mg (22.6 +/- 1.0 nmol/l at 240 min) and 300 mg (28.1 +/- 1.3 nmol/l at 210 min). Androstenedione intake increased serum total testosterone concentrations above basal (1.2 +/- 0.2 nmol/l) from 120-240 min (5.5 +/- 0.9 nmol/l at 210 min) with 100 mg and from 60-240 with 300 mg (10.2 +/- 1.6 nmol/l at 210 min). Androstenedione intake also increased serum estradiol concentrations (basal 191 +/- 24 pmol/l) at 150 min with 100 mg (237 +/- 35 pmol/l) and from 150-240 min with 300 mg (reaching 260 +/- 32 pmol/l at 240 min). These data indicate that, in contrast to men, androstenedione intake in women increases serum testosterone concentrations.

Androstenedione (a Natural Steroid and a Drug Supplement): A Comprehensive Review of Its Consumption, Metabolism, Health Effects, and Toxicity with Sex Differences

“…Such observed testosterone levels were comparable to those noticed in the misuse of testosterone for anabolic purposes, suggesting deleterious side effects of the modified sex hormone levels in women receiving androstenedione [71]. Other reports have supported these earlier observations in young women after the administration of androstenedione (100-300 mg, single dose) leading to increase in both serum estradiol (1.5-2 times) and serum testosterone by (5-10 times) at 4 h after dose administration [72], confirming a much greater increase in the male sex hormone than female sex hormones with androstenedione administration. In other words, the ingestion of androstenedione (100 or 200 mg) does not alter serum testosterone concentrations in young men [10,67], while ingesting of a single dose of 100-300 mg androstenedione leads to a 34% increase in the levels of serum total testosterone that lasts for 4-6 h [10].…”

Toxicity and carcinogenicity of androstenedione in F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice

“…Prolonged androstenedione exposure to men (200 mg/day for 12 weeks) elevated serum concentrations of androstenedione, estradiol, and estrone, but not testosterone (Broeder et al, 2000). Serum androstenedione and testosterone concentrations rise considerably in women compared to men after administration of androstenedione, likely due to the low concentrations of androgens normally circulating in women (Brown et al, 2004a; Leder et al, 2002). Significant effects on muscle mass gain have not been found in men after androstenedione administration, except following a large dose (1,500 mg/day for 12 weeks) of androstenedione given to hypogonadal men, which increased circulating levels of androstenedione and testosterone at the end of the exposure period (Jasuja et al, 2005).…”