[Age related changes of serum sex hormone levels and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity in healthy women].

Objective: To study the changes of serum sex hormone levels and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP) activity in healthy women of different ages, and to provide parameters for basic and clinical research of osteoporosis.

Methods: Serum sex hormone (FSH, LH, E2, P) levels and TRACP activity were measured in 236 premenopausal healthy women aged 23-53 years and divided into 3 groups, and in 91 postmenopausal healthy women aged 48-71 years.

Results: Except serum FSH levels which were significantly higher in the third group than those of the other groups in premenopausal healthy women (P < 0.05), no significant difference in sex hormone levels and TRACP activity was found among the 3 groups; the postmenopausal group showed a significant increase in serum FSH, LH levels and TRACP activity and a significant decrease in serum E2, P levels, compared with the premenopausal groups (P < 0.01). There was a negative correlation between E2, P levels and TRACP activity in the postmenopausal women (r = -0.41 and -0.37, respectively, P < 0.01).

Conclusion: Postmenopausal diminution of E2, P results in an increase of serum FSH and LH levels, and may bring about an increase of bone resorption, which results in the increase of TRACP activity.