Gender differences of oligomers and total adiponectin during puberty: A cross-sectional study of 859 Danish school children

Context: Pubertal stages have been shown to influence total adiponectin ( ADPN) levels. Furthermore, testosterone has been shown to alter the isomer distribution of ADPN. Objective: The goal of this study was to investigate whether pubertal stages and testosterone levels influenced total serum ADPN levels and the distribution of ADPN isomers. Design: This is a cross-sectional study. Patients: The study included 859 children and adolescents ( 396 males) aged 6-20 yr. Main Outcome Measures: Total ADPN and ADPN isomers were measured using a validated in-house immunofluorometric assay. Fractioning of the ADPN into the three major molecular fractions was performed in representative subgroups of pre- and postpubertal males and females ( n = 40, 10 in each group) using a validated fast protein liquid chromatography method. Results: Total ADPN levels before puberty were 13.4 ( 11.1-15.9) mg/liter ( median and interquartile range) and 14.7 ( 12.3-18.1) mg/liter ( P = not significant), in males and females, respectively. After puberty, ADPN levels were significantly reduced in males, 9.7 ( 8.2-12.0) mg/liter but remained unchanged in females, 12.1 ( 9.7-15.3) mg/liter ( P < 0.0001). Concomitantly, a reduction was seen in the ratio of high-molecular-weight ( HMW) isomers to total ADPN ( HMW ratio) when comparing prepubertal and postpubertal males. Also, postpubertal males had lower HMW ratios than corresponding females ( P = 0.038). Finally, a negative correlation was seen between HMW ratio and testosterone ( r = -0.430, P = 0.007). Conclusion: Serum total ADPN levels decrease through puberty in males. Also, a reduced HMW ratio is seen in males at the onset of puberty. We speculate that the suppression of HMW ADPN may be caused by testosterone.