Developmental patterns of serum 3α-androstanediol glucuronide

3α-androstanediol glucuronide (3αdiolG) is a marker of peripheral tissue androgen metabolism. There are no previous data regarding complete paediatric reference ranges for 3αdiolG. In order to obtain reference values for 3αdiolG we have measured serum levels of 3αdiolG in 283 healthy children and adolescents, 146 boys and 137 girls, age 1 month to 20 years and 28 adults. A non-extraction, solid phase radioimmunoassay employing a polyclonal antiserum that is specific for 3αdiolG was used to measure serum 3αdiolG levels (intra assay variation 5.1-10.1%, inter assay variation 2.7-9.0%). There was a strong sex and age dependence (r = 0.8; p < 0.0001) of 3αdiolG levels throughout childhood and adolescence with males showing significantly higher levels of the androgen than females (p < 0.05). 3αdiolG serum levels (nmol/l ± SD) correlated significantly with pubertal stage (p < 0.01). Interestingly, in 35 children with CAH serum 3αdiolG levels correlated well with clinical and metabolic status, i.e. 17OHP serum levels. In summary, we have established percentile curves for 3αdiolG levels in healthy children and adolescents. We hypothesize that on the basis of our reference values the single measurement of serum 3αdiolG could serve as a means to determine androgen status in children with disorders of puberty and sexual development.