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Testosterone concentrations in young pubertal and post-pubertal obese males
Muniza Mogri1, Sandeep Dhindsa, Teresa Quattrin
1Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
Clinical Endocrinology
|September 14, 2012
Summary
Young obese males have significantly lower testosterone levels, with free testosterone concentrations negatively related to BMI and insulin resistance. Obesity is linked to reduced testosterone, independent of estradiol levels.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Andrology
- Pediatric Endocrinology
Background:
- Obesity is a growing health concern in adolescents.
- Adult male obesity is linked to hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.
- The impact of obesity on testosterone in young males requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of obesity on plasma testosterone concentrations in pubertal and post-pubertal young males.
- To compare testosterone levels between obese and lean adolescent males.
Main Methods:
- Study included 50 males aged 14-20 years, divided into obese (BMI ≥95th percentile) and lean (BMI <85th percentile) groups.
- Measured total testosterone, free testosterone, and estradiol using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.
- Assessed C-reactive protein (CRP), insulin, glucose, and calculated homeostasis model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).
Main Results:
- Obese males exhibited significantly lower total testosterone (40-50% reduction), free testosterone, and calculated free testosterone compared to lean males (P < 0.001).
- Obese males had higher CRP concentrations and HOMA-IR scores (P < 0.001).
- Free testosterone levels were negatively correlated with BMI, HOMA-IR, and CRP.
Conclusions:
- Obesity in young males is associated with substantially lower testosterone concentrations.
- The observed low testosterone in obese youth is not attributable to elevated estradiol levels.
- Further research with larger cohorts is recommended to confirm these findings.
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