Subgroup analysis for assay type was statistically significant for spontaneous POI only .
Sensitivity analyses of high- quality studies did not change the results , and result ed in a substantial decrease in heterogeneity in spontaneous POI studies .
The current meta- analysis demonstrates that total testosterone concentrations are decreased in women with spontaneous POI or iatrogenic menopause .
BACKGROUND Increasing age and post-menopausal status are associated with decreasing and rogen concentrations in females .
Women with premature loss of ovarian function , such as primary ovarian insufficiency ( POI ) or iatrogenic menopause may be at increased risk for diminished testosterone levels at a relatively young age .
Differentiation between a hypo and rogenic or normo and rogenic state in women with premature loss of ovarian function is problematic due to trueness and precision problems using various testosterone assays .
The current meta- analysis was conducted to evaluate current literature reporting serum total testosterone concentrations under these conditions , including stratification for various testosterone assays .
Age-specific reference ranges for serum testosterone and androstenedione concentrations in women measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
OBJECTIVE RIA-based sex hormone measurements offer only limited precision and specificity in the low concentration range of women . Therefore , we aim ed to establish age-specific reference ranges for serum sex hormone concentrations in women using mass spectrometry and quantile regression . METHODS AND RESULTS Data from 985 women aged 20 - 80 yr , recruited for the prospect i ve Study of Health in Pomerania , were included in the analyses . Quantile regressions models were performed to calculate the age-specific 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles for sex hormone concentrations in women . Serum total testosterone ( TT ) and and rostenedione ( AD ) concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography-t and em mass spectrometry . Measured concentrations of SHBG and TT were used to calculate free testosterone ( free T ) . TT , AD , and free T concentrations showed a distinct age-related decline across 10-yr age groups ( one way ANOVA P < 0.001 ) . Sex hormone reference ranges for TT , AD , and free T were determined across each single year of age and for 10-yr age groups . Reference ranges over the whole age range of 20 - 80 yr were 0.35 - 1.97 nmol/liter for TT , 0.89 - 4.56 nmol/liter for AD , and 0.0025 - 0.0253 nmol/liter for free T. Separate reference ranges were provided for pre- and postmenopausal women as well as after inclusion of women using oral contraceptives or hormone therapy ( n = 1357 ) . CONCLUSION This is the first study to establish age-specific reference ranges for liquid chromatography-t and em mass spectrometry-measured  TT and AD and calculated free T concentrations based on quantile regression analyses , accurately accounting for the observed low concentration range and the strong age dependency of these sex hormones in women
Subgroup analysis for assay type was statistically significant for spontaneous POI only .
Sensitivity analyses of high- quality studies did not change the results , and result ed in a substantial decrease in heterogeneity in spontaneous POI studies .
The current meta- analysis demonstrates that total testosterone concentrations are decreased in women with spontaneous POI or iatrogenic menopause .
BACKGROUND Increasing age and post-menopausal status are associated with decreasing and rogen concentrations in females .
Women with premature loss of ovarian function , such as primary ovarian insufficiency ( POI ) or iatrogenic menopause may be at increased risk for diminished testosterone levels at a relatively young age .
Differentiation between a hypo and rogenic or normo and rogenic state in women with premature loss of ovarian function is problematic due to trueness and precision problems using various testosterone assays .
The current meta- analysis was conducted to evaluate current literature reporting serum total testosterone concentrations under these conditions , including stratification for various testosterone assays .