Adrenal and Gonadal Activity, Androgen Concentrations, and Adult Height Outcomes in Boys With Silver-Russell Syndrome

Background: We have previously shown that adult height (AH) in males with Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS) correlated negatively with prepubertal estradiol concentrations. We aimed to identify the source of estradiol by analyzing androgen secretion profiles and measuring anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and inhibin B concentrations during childhood and puberty in this group of patients. Methods: In a retrospective longitudinal single-center study, 13 males with SRS were classified as non-responders (NRs = 8) or responders (Rs = 5), depending on the AH outcome. From 6 years of age, androgens were determined by mass spectrometry, and AMH, inhibin B and sex hormone-binding globulin concentrations were analyzed by immunoassays. Results: AH outcome correlated negatively with dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS) at 8 (r = −0.72), 10 (r = −0.79), and 12 years (r = −0.72); testosterone at 10 (r = −0.94), 12 (r = −0.70) and 14 years (r = −0.64); dihydrotestosterone (DHT) at 10 (r = −0.62) and 12 years; (r = −0.57) and AMH at 12 years (r = 0.62) of age. Compared with Rs, NRs had higher median concentrations of DHEAS (μmol/L) at 10 years (2.9 vs. 1.0); androstenedione (nmol/L) at 10 (1.1 vs. 0.6) and 12 years (1.7 vs. 0.8); testosterone (nmol/L) at 10 (0.3 vs. 0.1), 12 (7.8 vs. 0.2) and 14 years (15.6 vs. 10.4); and DHT (pmol/L) at 10 (122 vs. 28) and 12 years (652 vs. 59) of age. AMH (ng/mL) was lower in NRs than in Rs at 12 years of age (11 vs. 50). No significant differences were observed in the inhibin B concentrations at any age. Conclusions: The elevated androgen concentrations before and during puberty, originated from both adrenal and gonadal secretion and correlated negatively with AH outcomes in males with SRS.