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Thromb Haemost 1995; 74(05): 1271-1275
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1649925
Original Article
Coagulation
Schattauer GmbH Stuttgart

Plasma Levels of Protein S, Protein C, and Factor X: Effects of Sex, Hormonal State and Age

C M A Henkens
1   The Department of Haematology, Division of Haemostasis, Thrombosis and Rheology, University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands
,
V J J Bom
1   The Department of Haematology, Division of Haemostasis, Thrombosis and Rheology, University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands
,
W van der Schaaf
1   The Department of Haematology, Division of Haemostasis, Thrombosis and Rheology, University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands
,
P M Pelsma
1   The Department of Haematology, Division of Haemostasis, Thrombosis and Rheology, University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands
,
C Th Smit Sibinga
2   The Red Cross Bloodbank, Gronlngen-Drenthe, Groningen, The Netherlands
,
P J de Kam
3   The Trial Coordination Centre, University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands
,
J van der Meer
1   The Department of Haematology, Division of Haemostasis, Thrombosis and Rheology, University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 04 April 1995

Accepted after revision 10 August 1995

Publication Date:
10 July 2018 (online)

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Summary

We measured total and free protein S (PS), protein C (PC) and factor X (FX) in 393 healthy blood donors to assess differences in relation to sex, hormonal state and age. All measured proteins were lower in women as compared to men, as were levels in premenopausal women as compared to postmenopausal women. Multiple regression analysis showed that both age and subgroup (men, pre- and postmenopausal women) were of significance for the levels of total and free PS and PC, the subgroup effect being caused by the differences between the premenopausal women and the other groups. This indicates a role of sex-hormones, most likely estrogens, in the regulation of levels of pro- and anticoagulant factors under physiologic conditions. These differences should be taken into account in daily clinical practice and may necessitate different normal ranges for men, pre- and postmenopausal women.

 

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