Serum androgen concentrations and bone mineral density in postmenopausal ovariectomized and non-ovariectomized women

Compare levels of androgens and bone mineral density (BMD) of ovariectomized (OVX) and non-ovariectomized (NOVX) postmenopausal women. Forty women, 20 OVX and 20 NOVX, (53.9 +/- 4 years) were selected. Total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), androstenedione (AN), dehidroepiandrostenedione (DHEA) and its sulfate (DHEA-S) were measured. BMD was measured in 14 OVX and 16 NOVX. No differences between groups with regard to age, body mass index (BMI) and time since menopause were found. Mean levels of TT and FT were two-fold higher in NOVX group (60.91 versus 30.17 ng/dL, p = 0.0001; 1.00 versus 0.48 pg/mL, p = 0.003). BMD was not different between groups. Inverse correlations were found between BMI and TT (r = -0.3; p = 0.05); time since menopause and AN (r = -0.35; p = 0.02) and time since menopause and DHEA (r = -0.3; p = 0.01). Bilateral ovariectomy leads to a more severe androgen deficiency than natural menopause in postmenopausal women and did not compromise bone mass.