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Updated: Feb 9, 2026

Combining Behavioral Endocrinology and Experimental Economics: Testosterone and Social Decision Making
Published on: March 2, 2011
No relationship between autistic traits and salivary testosterone concentrations in men from the general population
Diana Weiting Tan1,2, Murray T Maybery1, Michael W Clarke3
1Neurocognitive Developmental Unit, School of Psychological Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Abstract:
It is suggested that testosterone may play a part in the higher prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in males compared to females. Previous studies have reported elevated postnatal testosterone levels in children and women with ASD but not in men. We compared levels of salivary testosterone across 67 undergraduate males (Mage 19.5 yrs, SD 1.92) selected for low, mid-range and high levels of autistic traits assessed using the Autism-spectrum Quotient. Analyses revealed no significant differences in testosterone concentrations across the three groups. The current data add to the increasing evidence for the lack of relationship between autistic traits and postnatal levels of testosterone in men.
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