Human Androstenedione ELISA Kit

The steroid hormone Androstenedione is one of the main androgens, besides Testosterone and Dehydroepiandrosterone. Testosterone, the most important biological active androgen, is derived from peripheral enzymatic conversion of Androstenedione. In males, androgens are secreted primarily by the Leydig cells of the testes, to some degree also in the adrenal cortex. In females, the androgens are secreted mainly in the adrenal glands and in the ovary. Around 10% of the androgens are derived from peripheral conversion, mainly of DHEA. Androstenedione and Testosterone show high diurnal variability. The highest levels are measured in the morning. At the age of puberty serum androstenedione levels rise, after menopause they decline again. High androstenedione levels are measured during pregnancy. In women, high levels of androstenedione (47-100% above normal) are generally found in hirsutism, mostly in combination with other androgens as testosterone and DHEA-S. Androstenedione overproduction is due to ovarian dysfunction or may be of adrenal origin. High circulating androstenedione levels are found in women with polycystic ovaries and 21-hydroxylase effect. Significant lower androstenedione levels are found in postmenopausal osteoporosis.