Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) is an androgen that is not associated with puberty. It is secreted and synthesized by the adrenal glands. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate belongs to ketosteroids.
DHEA-C is synthesized for the most part from cholesterol sulfate ester. Most of the androgen is catabolized and, as a rule, only ten percent comes out in the urine.
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate is not associated with specific proteins in blood plasma, therefore, their concentration does not affect the level of DHEA-C. However, the steroid binds to serum albumin.
In addition to DHEA-C, dehydroepiandrosterone is included in the circulating blood. Partly, its formation occurs in the adrenal cortex, and partially, in the sex glands. Due to the fact that the metabolic clearance of DHEA is very fast, its concentration is lower in comparison with DHEA-C.
Due to the high concentration of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, high stability and a long half-life, as well as the fact that the source of it, for the most part, is the adrenal glands, the steroid is an excellent indicator of androgen secretion.
In addition to the adrenal cortex, in men, a small part (5%) is produced in the gonads. In women, there is no production of it in the ovaries. The concentration of this hormone reflects the androgen synthetic activity of the adrenal glands. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate has a slight androgenic effect. However, during its metabolism, which occurs in peripheral tissues, dehydrotestosterone and testosterone are produced.
The clearance rate of DHEA-S is low. This indicator is used in the diagnosis of hyperandrogenic conditions that occur in women. These include baldness, hirsutism, impaired reproductive function. In this case, hyperandrogenism can be of ovarian or adrenal origin. Thus, an endocrinological examination begins with determining the concentration of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and testosterone. Their increased indices indicate hyperandrogenism of the adrenal origin. In addition, the indicator is also used to assess the status of androgens against the background of delayed sexual development.
During pregnancy, the production of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate occurs in the adrenal cortex of the fetus and mother. For the synthesis of estrogen in the placenta, the hormone is a precursor.
In pregnant women, the concentration of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in the blood decreases moderately. By the time of puberty in children, its level increases, then gradually decreases with age.
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate is increased with:
- congenital adrenal hyperplasia;
- Cushing's syndrome (illness) ;
- tumors of the adrenal cortex (values โโfor cancer are higher than for adenoma);
- polycystic ovary syndrome ;
- tumors with ectopic production;
- faith syndrome.
A reduced concentration of the hormone is observed with:
- secondary and primary insufficiency in the adrenal glands;
- pregnancy;
- primary hypogonadism (castration, Klinefelter syndrome) in men;
- secondary hypogonadism (pituitary) in women;
- taking oral contraceptives;
- panhypopituitarism;
- osteoporosis.
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, the norm for men from 21 to 39 years old is 1.0-4.2 ฮผg / ml, for women from 19 to 39 years old - about, 8-2.9 ฮผg / ml.
With an increased level of testosterone in women, determining the concentration of DHEA-C can determine whether the condition is associated with ovarian disease or pathology of the adrenal glands. Indicators of the level of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate increase only with adrenal pathologies. These include, in particular, tumors, hyperplasias, and other diseases.