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Horm Metab Res 2004; 36(2): 107-110
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-814220
Original Clinical
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Sex Differences due to Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) Feeding Affecting Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate Secretion in Golden Syrian Hamsters

Y.  Maeda1 , J.  Nagatomo1 , H.  Sueta1 , S.  Tanaka1 , Y.  Ota1 , H.  Shiotsuki1 , T.  Eto1 , M.  Kai1 , K.  Kondo1 , K.  Chijiiwa1
  • 1Department of Surgery I, Miyazaki Medical College, Kiyotake, Miyazaki, Japan
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Publication History

Received 4 February 2003

Accepted after revision 22 August 2003

Publication Date:
05 March 2004 (online)

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Abstract

The metabolism of orally administered dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) by male and female golden Syrian hamsters was examined by quantification of DHEA and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) in gallbladder bile, urine and feces using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Plasma levels of DHEA and DHEAS were also determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). After 5 days of oral DHEA administration (100 mg/kg body weight twice a day), RIA showed that plasma levels of DHEA and DHEAS were increased approximately 3 - 6 and 4 - 5 times, respectively, compared to controls. More than 95 % of circulating DHEA (S) in the peripheral blood was DHEAS. There was no significant sex difference in DHEAS plasma levels between male and female animals in the DHEA-supplemented group. However, 0.2 - 0.3 % of ingested DHEA was conjugated to DHEAS and excreted in urine by females, whereas less than 0.002 % was excreted in urine by males (p < 0.005). DHEAS was excreted in bile by males after DHEA supplementation, and the sex differences in DHEAS levels observed in bile were statistically significant (male, 18.7 ± 7.5 vs. female, 5.6 ± 3.1 μmol/l) (p < 0.005). Small amounts of ingested DHEA were excreted in an unchanged state in feces, and no sex difference was observed. These results suggest that there is a considerable sex difference in the conjugation and excretion of orally administered DHEA in the hamster.

Key words

Dehydroepiandrosterone - Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate - Golden hamsters

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Y. Maeda

Department of Surgery I · Miyazaki Medical College

5200 Kihara · Kiyotake · Miyazaki, 889-1692 · Japan

Phone: + 81 (985) 85-2808

Fax: + 81 (985) 85-5814

Email: maedayo@post.miyazaki-med.ac.jp