Effects of sex and age on serum GH binding protein levels in normal adults

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Abstract
Summary. objective The effects of sex and age on serum growth hormone binding protein (GHBP) levels during adulthood were investigated.design The levels of GHBP, insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐1), and growth hormone (GH) were determined and analysed as a function of sex and age.patients We studied 101 normal adults (45 men, aged 20–77 years; 56 women, aged 20–80 years).measurements GHBP levels were determined using an Ultrogel AcA 44 minicoiumn.results During the second and third decade, GHBP levels were not different between men (22.8±1.1%) (mean ± SE) and women (23.2±0.8%). After the age of 40 years, however, GHBP levels in men were significantly decreased (19.1 ± 0.7%), and were lower than those in women (22.7±0.9%). IGF‐I levels correlated positively with GHBP levels in men (r= 0.51, P < 0.01) but not in women (r= 0.16, NS).conclusions These results indicate that both sex and age may have some effects on the GH‐GH receptor‐IGF‐I axis.