Description
Testosterone is a C-19 steroid secreted from the testis and the adrenal cortex in men and from the adrenal cortex and ovaries in women. Testosterone is also produced by peripheral tissues from androstenedione, which is of little physiological significance in men, however in women about half of the circulating testosterone is derived from this origin. Testosterone measurements are used mainly for clinical evaluation of hypogonadism in males and hyperandrogenic states in females. Testosterone circulates in the blood bound to three proteins: sex hormone binding globulin (60-80%), albumin and cortisol binding globulin. Only about 1-2% of the total circulating testosterone remains unbound or free. Even though it is still under investigation, most researchers accept the free testosterone determination as a measure of the biologically active fraction. Free testosterone determinations are recommended to overcome the influences caused by variations in transport proteins on the total testosterone concentration