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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 24, 2026

An In Vivo Estrogen Deficiency Mouse Model for Screening Exogenous Estrogen Treatments of Cardiovascular Dysfunction After Menopause

An In Vivo Estrogen Deficiency Mouse Model for Screening Exogenous Estrogen Treatments of Cardiovascular Dysfunction After Menopause

Published on: August 13, 2019

Menopausal transition stage-specific changes in circulating adrenal androgens.

Daniel S McConnell¹, Frank Z Stanczyk, Maryfran R Sowers

¹Department of Epidemiology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA. DanMcC@umich.edu

Menopause (New York, N.Y.)

|March 15, 2012

Summary

During menopause, adrenal androgens like dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and androstenediol (Adiol) increase, potentially impacting estrogen/androgen balance more than ovarian decline.

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Area of Science:

Endocrinology
Reproductive Biology
Gerontology

Background:

Circulating dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels in midlife women change during the menopausal transition.
This shift is accompanied by alterations in other adrenal androgens, including testosterone (T), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and androstenedione (Adione).
These hormonal changes suggest a relationship between adrenal steroid production, declining ovarian function, and menopausal stage.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the association between menopausal stage-specific changes in circulating DHEAS and concurrent alterations in other adrenal steroids.
To determine if adrenal androgens influence the circulating estrogen/androgen balance during menopause.

Main Methods:

Analysis of 120 stored annual serum samples from midlife women.
Selection of samples to represent four longitudinal dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) profiles.
Assessment of changes in the adrenal contribution to circulating steroid hormones.

Main Results:

Changes in mean dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels during the menopausal transition correlate with changes in mean circulating testosterone (T), androstenedione (Adione), and androstenediol (Adiol).
Mean androstenedione (Adione) and testosterone (T) concentrations showed the least variation.
Mean dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and androstenediol (Adiol) concentrations exhibited the most significant changes.

Conclusions:

Alterations in adrenal-derived steroid hormones during the menopausal transition may play a more significant role in modifying the estrogen/androgen balance than the decline in ovarian function.
Adrenal androgens, particularly DHEAS and Adiol, are key players in hormonal shifts during menopause.