Overfeeding‐induced weight gain elicits decreases in sex hormone‐binding globulin in healthy males—Implications for body fat distribution

OBJECTIVE: Obesity and upper‐body fat elevates cardiometabolic risk. However, mechanisms predisposing to upper‐body fat accumulation are not completely understood. In males, low testosterone (T) frequently associates with obesity, and estrogen deficiency may contribute to upper‐body adiposity. This study examines the effects of overfeeding‐induced weight gain on changes in gonadal hormones in healthy males and its association with regional fat depots. METHODS: Twenty‐five males (age: 29.7 ± 6.9 years; BMI: 24.7 ± 3.1 kg/m(2)) were overfed for 8 weeks to gain approximately 5% body weight. Changes in total and regional fat depots were assessed using dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry and abdominal computed tomography scans. Circulating T, estrone (E1), 17‐β estradiol (E2), and sex hormone‐binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations were measured at baseline and after weight gain. RESULTS: Overfeeding resulted in 3.8 (3.3, 4.9) kg weight gain with increased total body fat. Weight gain did not alter circulating T (p = 0.82), E1 (p = 0.52), or E2 (p = 0.28). However, SHBG decreased (p = 0.04) along with consequent increases in T/SHBG (p = 0.02) and E2/SHBG (p = 0.03) ratios. Importantly, baseline E2/SHBG ratio was inversely associated with increases in upper‐body fat mass (ρ = −0.43, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Modest weight gain does not alter circulating gonadal hormones in males but may increase bioavailability of T and E2 via decreases in SHBG. The association between baseline E2/SHBG and regional fat mass suggests that higher levels of bioavailable E2 may protect from upper‐body fat accumulation during overfeeding‐induced modest weight gain in healthy males. Our study suggests a complex relationship between adipose tissue, gonadal hormones, and fat accumulation in males.