Relationship of sex steroid hormones with body size and with body composition measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in US men

Abstract

Purpose To evaluate the association of body size – captured via whole body dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and physical measurement – with serum sex steroid hormones and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) we utilized cross-sectional data and serum samples from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES; 1999-2004). Methods Testosterone, androstanediol glucuronide (3-alpha-diol-G), estradiol and SHBG were measured via immunoassay in serum samples from a total of 898 adult men (ages 20-90) participating in the morning examination. As part of the NHANES data collection DXA scans and measurements of weight, height and waist circumference were performed by trained staff. Linear regression was used to estimate associations between body size and hormone levels adjusted for potential confounders and NHANES sampling procedures. Results Total bone area (cm2) was inversely associated with total testosterone (ng/mL) [beta=-0.12; p-value<0.01], while bone mineral density (g/cm2) was inversely associated with SHBG (nmol/L) [beta=-17.16; p-value=0.01]. Increased percent body fat was associated with lower concentrations of total testosterone [beta=-0.16; p-value<0.01] and SHBG [beta=-1.11; p-value<0.01] and higher concentrations of free estradiol (fg/mL) [beta=12.52; p-value<0.01]. Conclusions Clinical measures of body fat (measured via DXA scan) and anthropometric measures of body fat (BMI and waist circumference) provided similar inferences regarding the association between increased body fat and hormone levels in men. Increased body fat was associated with lower circulating levels of testosterone (total and free) and SHBG and higher circulating levels of free estradiol in men, while decreased bone mineral density was associated with higher circulating levels of SHBG.

Racial/Ethnic Differences in the Associations of Overall and Central Body Fatness with Circulating Hormones and Metabolic Factors in US Men

“…Two small studies focused only on SHBG levels, and found an inverse association with waist-to-hip ratio among racial and ethnic groups ( 28 , 29 ). We and other colleagues have previously reported racial/ethnic differences in total testosterone, total estradiol and SHBG levels ( 10 , 30 ), and in a subsequent study we found independent associations between sex steroid hormones and percent body fat ( 9 , 31 ). Due to a paucity of studies investigating the role of joint categories of overall and central body fatness on sex steroid hormones by race and ethnicity, we cannot make direct comparisons of our findings with other studies.…”

Associations between circulating sex steroid hormones and leukocyte telomere length in men in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

“…These restrictions are the same criteria applied to a previous analysis in NHANES of sex steroid hormones in order to use existing hormone and SHBG data as well as the corresponding sample weights (Trabert et al, 2012). With these restrictions, there were 527 men with data on relevant sex steroid hormones and SHBG, and had telomere length quantified (Figure 1).…”

“…Among the 3077 men aged 20 or older who also provided DNA samples and consent, selection was restricted to individuals who provided a morning blood sample (n = 1717) to reduce effects of diurnal variation in sex hormone production, and to individuals who were previously selected for persistent organic pollutant (POP) analysis (n = 575). These restrictions are the same criteria applied to a previous analysis in NHANES of sex steroid hormones in order to use existing hormone and SHBG data as well as the corresponding sample weights (Trabert et al, 2012). With these restrictions, there were 527 men with data on relevant sex steroid hormones and SHBG and had telomere length quantified (Fig.…”

Androgen effects on skeletal muscle: implications for the development and management of frailty

“…Similarly, Orwoll et al ., found no difference in lean body mass index (BMI) across the range of bioavailable T levels in men from the American MrOS sample,92 while Maggio et al ., found no difference in calf muscle area, measured by peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) scanning, across strata of total T levels in men from the Chinati study 93. Finally, a mild negative relationship between T levels and lean body mass was seen in men aged 20–90 years from the NHANES study,94 with similar, but nonsignificant, trends seen in men aged 30–79 years from the Boston Area Community Health Bone Survey 95…”