Associations Between Testosterone, Androgen Receptor Polymorphism, And Mood
Abstract
Recent findings suggest that insufficient testosterone levels may be associated with depressive affect in men. Genetic variability in the androgen receptor (polyglutamine [CAG] repeat length) may be important for this relationship. However, the relationship between testosterone, androgen receptor CAG repeat length, and depressive affect remains inconclusive. The current thesis examined the association between testosterone concentration, androgen receptor CAG repeat length, and depressive affect in 218 young men with diverse mood patterns. Saliva samples were collected to quantify bioavailable testosterone, cortisol, and CAG repeat length. Participants completed the Profile of Mood States scale. In men with low testosterone concentrations, lower testosterone and longer androgen receptor CAG lengths predicted greater negative affect. Testosterone, CAG length, and negative affect were unrelated in men with average or higher testosterone concentrations. Cortisol concentrations were not related to negative affect. These findings suggest a complex relationship between testosterone and depressive affect in young men.