Clinical Endocrinology
Volume 67, Issue 5, 2007, Pages 651-655

Migration is associated with lower total, but not free testosterone levels in South Asian men (Article)

Heald A.H.* , Patel J. , Anderson S.G. , Vyas A. , Rudenski A. , Hughes E. , Panja N.C. , Ullah A. , Prabhakaran D. , Reddy S. , Durrington P. , Gibson J.M. , Laing I. , Bhatnagar D. , Cruickshank J.K.
  • a Department of Endocrinology, University of Manchester, Salford NHS Trust, Salford, United Kingdom, Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, University of Manchester, Salford Royal Hospitals University Trust, Stott Lane, Salford, Greater Manchester, M6 8HD, United Kingdom
  • b Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Sandwell General Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom
  • c Clinical Epidemiology Group, University of Manchester Medical School, Manchester, United Kingdom, University Department of Medicine, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, United Kingdom
  • d Clinical Epidemiology Group, University of Manchester Medical School, Manchester, United Kingdom, University Department of Medicine, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, United Kingdom
  • e Department of Endocrinology, University of Manchester, Salford NHS Trust, Salford, United Kingdom
  • f Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Sandwell General Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom
  • g Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Sandwell General Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom
  • h Clinical Epidemiology Group, University of Manchester Medical School, Manchester, United Kingdom
  • i All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
  • j All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
  • k University Department of Medicine, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, United Kingdom
  • l Department of Endocrinology, University of Manchester, Salford NHS Trust, Salford, United Kingdom
  • m Clinical Biochemistry Department, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester, United Kingdom
  • n University Department of Medicine, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, United Kingdom
  • o Clinical Epidemiology Group, University of Manchester Medical School, Manchester, United Kingdom, University Department of Medicine, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, United Kingdom

Abstract

Objective: Serum testosterone measurement is an integral part of the endocrine assessment of men. Little is known about its variation in relation to migration. We examined within a South Asian group the effect of migration to the UK on androgen levels. Design: Circulating testosterone and SHBG concentrations were measured in 97 Gujarati men resident in India and in 79 men from the same villages of origin living in Birmingham, UK. Free testosterone was calculated by Vermeulen's method. Insulin sensitivity (HOMA-S) was determined from paired fasting plasma intact insulin and glucose values. Results: Circulating testosterone was significantly lower in UK Gujarati men (17.2 nmol/l [15.7-18.7]) vs. Indian Gujarati men (21.7 [20.0-23.5]) (P = 0.0002) (age-adjusted median [95% CI]). There was no difference by migration status in circulating free testosterone. Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels were lower in UK migrants (16.8 nmol/l [15.5-18.1]) than in nonmigrants (21.9 nmol/l [20.5-23.3]) (P < 0.0001). Testosterone level correlated positively with insulin sensitivity (HOMA-S) (ρ 0.16, P = 0.04). In multivariate analysis, total testosterone was independently and positively associated with logSHBG (normalized beta (β) = 0.29, P = 0.002) and independently and negatively with waist circumference (β = -0.19, P = 0.04), in a model also including height, age, migration status, leptin and fasting insulin. Conclusion: Lower circulating testosterone in UK Gujarati men and its association with markers of insulin sensitivity suggest a profound influence of body composition change with migration on testosterone levels. The lower SHBG in this group restores parity in free testosterone. Account should be taken of SHBG in interpreting testosterone levels in men, as well as in women. © 2007 The Authors.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

sex hormone binding globulin body composition testosterone blood level Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 leptin Blood Glucose Insulin-Like Growth Factor I insulin resistance Asian Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1 India methodology correlation analysis human middle aged aging Asian continental ancestry group controlled study priority journal insulin sensitivity diet restriction resident Confidence interval insulin Humans male England female circulation Multivariate Analysis Article adult migration United Kingdom insulin blood level normal human Emigration and Immigration Case-Control Studies testosterone body height disease marker Biological Markers Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-35448958444&doi=10.1111%2fj.1365-2265.2007.02856.x&partnerID=40&md5=92ff7e5aacde1e2d2dd4ac37d626d607
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2007.02856.x
ISSN: 03000664
Cited by: 8
Original Language: English