BACKGROUND: Accurate and selective assessment of testosterone requires use of a sensitive LC-MS/MS method, especially at low levels as those seen in young children. METHODS: The present longitudinal study of 20 healthy children from the Copenhagen Puberty Study followed every 6 months for 5 years evaluates the longitudinal increase in serum testosterone before, during and after pubertal onset quantified by a newly developed LC-MS/MS method in comparison with immunoassay. Testosterone concentrations in serum samples (n = 177) were determined by LC-MS/MS (detection limit 0.1 nmol/l) and by immunoassay (detection limit 0.23 nmol/l). RESULTS: Serum concentrations of testosterone increased gradually with age by both methods. However, serum testosterone was quantifiable in 9/10 girls prior to pubic hair development measured with LC-MS/MS, and in 2/10 girls measured with immunoassay. In boys, testosterone was quantifiable in 10/10 boys 1 year prior to pubic hair development measured with LC-MS/MS, and only in 1/10 boys measured with immunoassay. Serum testosterone levels were quantifiable 1.5 years (range 0.5-2.5) earlier using LC-MS/MS. CONCLUSION: Assessment of longitudinal circulating levels of serum testosterone using a selective LC-MS/MS method proved to be more sensitive in predicting early peripubertal changes in healthy children compared to levels determined by immunoassay.
BACKGROUND: Accurate and selective assessment of testosterone requires use of a sensitive LC-MS/MS method, especially at low levels as those seen in young children. METHODS: The present longitudinal study of 20 healthy children from the Copenhagen Puberty Study followed every 6 months for 5 years evaluates the longitudinal increase in serum testosterone before, during and after pubertal onset quantified by a newly developed LC-MS/MS method in comparison with immunoassay. Testosterone concentrations in serum samples (n = 177) were determined by LC-MS/MS (detection limit 0.1 nmol/l) and by immunoassay (detection limit 0.23 nmol/l). RESULTS: Serum concentrations of testosterone increased gradually with age by both methods. However, serum testosterone was quantifiable in 9/10 girls prior to pubic hair development measured with LC-MS/MS, and in 2/10 girls measured with immunoassay. In boys, testosterone was quantifiable in 10/10 boys 1 year prior to pubic hair development measured with LC-MS/MS, and only in 1/10 boys measured with immunoassay. Serum testosterone levels were quantifiable 1.5 years (range 0.5-2.5) earlier using LC-MS/MS. CONCLUSION: Assessment of longitudinal circulating levels of serum testosterone using a selective LC-MS/MS method proved to be more sensitive in predicting early peripubertal changes in healthy children compared to levels determined by immunoassay.
Authors: Christopher R McCartney; Christine M Burt Solorzano; James T Patrie; John C Marshall; Daniel J Haisenleder Journal: Steroids Date: 2018-09-12 Impact factor: 2.668
Authors: A Nordenström; S F Ahmed; E van den Akker; J Blair; M Bonomi; C Brachet; L H A Broersen; H L Claahsen-van der Grinten; A B Dessens; A Gawlik; C H Gravholt; A Juul; C Krausz; T Raivio; A Smyth; P Touraine; D Vitali; O M Dekkers Journal: Eur J Endocrinol Date: 2022-04-21 Impact factor: 6.558
Authors: A S Busch; B Hollis; F R Day; K Sørensen; L Aksglaede; J R B Perry; K K Ong; A Juul; C P Hagen Journal: Hum Reprod Date: 2019-08-01 Impact factor: 6.918
Authors: Gurmeet K S Singh; Ben W R Balzer; Patrick J Kelly; Karen Paxton; Catherine I Hawke; David J Handelsman; Katharine S Steinbeck Journal: PLoS One Date: 2015-11-23 Impact factor: 3.240