Gender-related changes in serum hormone levels in middle- and gerontic-aged inhabitants of Arkhangelsk

Abstract

The serum hormone levels of middle- and gerontic-aged residents of Arkhangelsk were studied by enzyme immunoassay and radioimmunoassay. A significant increase of follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones levels in gerontic-aged men was recorded in the presence of higher concentrations of these hormones in women. There was a statistical tendency toward a decrease in the testosterone level in gerontic-aged women as compared to middle-aged women. Regardless of gender, a decrease of the dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate content was observed in gerontic-aged residents as compared to the level in the middle-aged. The criteria for a functional activity reduction of the thyroid gland were a decrease in serum-free thyroxine fraction levels in gerontic-aged women and low concentrations of common triiodothyronine in middle-aged men living in Arkhangelsk. Serum cortisol, insulin, estradiol, growth hormone had no significant age or sex differences in the considered groups. The number of correlations was greater among the gerontic-aged people in comparison with the middle-aged, especially among women.