OBJECTIVESTo investigate the characteristics of testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) in senior males living on high altitude

METHODSAccording to the years of living on 3,100-meter high altitude. 90 senior males who were more than sixty years old were divided into three groups: group 1 (one year on the high altitude, n = 30), group 2 (two years on the high altitude, n = 30) and group 3 (over 10 years on the high altitude, n = 30). Additionally, there was a control group (living on the sea level). Radioimmunoassay technique was used to measure the level of T and E2 in their serum respectively. At the same time, the ratio of T/E2 was also examined.

RESULTSThe levels of T, E2 and T/E2 of the three groups were 42.2 +/- 38.5, 70.0 +/- 31.5, 190.3 +/- 73.5 and 44.0 +/- 42.2, 60.6 +/- 28.3, 144.9 +/- 62.0 and 0.96 +/- 0.19, 1.16 +/- 0.11, 1.33 +/- 0.24, respectively. The levels of T, E2 and T/E2 of group 3 increased obviously than those of the other two groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe sexual hormone levels in senior males living on high altitude increase along with the living years.