Chemoluminescence immunoassay of nine reproductive hormones in the elderly

Objective To explore the changes in nine sex hormones levels in the elderly.Methods Serum levels of nine sex hormones including luteotrophic hormone(LH),follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),prolactin(PRL),estradiol(E_2), progestone(P),testosterone(T),17α-hydroxyprogesterone(17α-OHP),dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate(DHEA-SO_4),androstenedione(A_2),were measured in 97 elderly by fully auto microparticle chemiluminescence immune assay.Results Serum levels of sex hormones in menopausal women were significantly lowered(P0.001) except LH and FSH,and E_2 levels in 21 women were nearly undetectable.E_2,P and PRL levels of the males were lowered than those of the females,but T and DHEA-SO_4 levels were higher and FSH,LH and 17α-OHP were similar to those of the women in follicular phase.There was slight difference in sex hormones between elderly male and adult male.Conclusions The sex hormone levels in healthy postmenopausal women have significant changes,while those in elderly male have slight difference,providing the normal reference values of nine sex hormones in the elderly.