Influence of aging upon the urinary hormone excretion in the male.

The urinary excretion of LH, low polar oestrogens, neutral C19 and C21 steroids was measured in normal healthy males aged 20-79 years. No significant changes could be noted for the excretion of LH, pregnanediol and 17-ketogenic steroids between 50 and 79 years. The excretion of androsterone and aeticholanolone was significantly lower in the oldest group (70-79 years). A significant drop in the excretion of DHA was noted at approx. 60 years. The excretion of low polar oestrogens remained constant from 20 to 55-59 years, but showed a highly significant (P less than 0.001) decrease at about 60 years. This drop might reflect a sudden decrease in the plasma levels of oestrone sulphate due to a decreased sulphurylating activity in the liver.