Testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, calculated free testosterone, and oestradiol in male vegans and omnivores.

Journal article

Total testosterone (T), total oestradiol (E2) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations were measured in plasma samples from fifty-one male vegans and fifty-seven omnivores of similar age. Free T concentration was estimated by calculation. In comparison with the omnivores, the vegans had 7% higher total T (P = 0.250), 23% higher SHBG (P = 0.001), 3% lower free T (P = 0.580), and 11% higher E2 (P = 0.194). In a subset of eighteen vegans and twenty-two omnivores for whom 4 d diet records were available, there were statistically significant correlations between T and polyunsaturated fatty acids (r 0.37), SHBG and fat (r 0.43 for total fat, 0.46 for saturated fatty acids and 0.33 for polyunsaturated fatty acids), and SHBG and alcohol (r-0.39). It is concluded that a vegan diet causes a substantial increase in SHBG but has little effect on total or free T or on E2.

Authors: Key, T; Roe, L; Thorogood, M; Moore, J; Clark, G

• Journal: British journal of nutrition
• Volume: 64
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 111-119
• Publication date: 1990-07-01
• DOI: 10.1079/bjn19900014
• EISSN: 1475-2662
• ISSN: 0007-1145
• Language: English
• Keywords: Alcohol Drinking; Male; Body Mass Index; Prospective Studies; Humans; Testosterone; Adult; Estradiol; Diet, Vegetarian; Diet; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin