Serum Androgens and sex hormone binding globulin in obese Pima indian females.

Levels of serum androgens and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were measured in 20 obese Pima Indian females aged 19-44 and compared with those of normal-weight Caucasians aged 20-46. The Pima exhibited significantly decreased SHBG compared to Caucasians, but a strong effect of age on androgen levels rendered mean comparisons useless. Androstenedione (A) and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) decreased significantly, and testosterone (T) declined slightly with age in the Pima, whereas these androgens showed no significant decreases in Caucasians for this age range. A possible relationship of androgens to the Pima female's propensity for android obesity as well as possible effects of obesity on SHBG, and aging is discussed.