The aging process in man is accompanied by progressive decrease in plasma levels of sex steroids, as well as the adrenal androgens: dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate (DHEAS). It has been proposed that such alterations in steroid secretion may be related to atherosclerosis-prone lipoprotein profiles and that they result in a higher risk of developing coronary heart disease in men than women. However, no entirely consistent relationship between circulating levels of sex steroids and lipoproteins in men has been observed. The authors analyzed data on the relationship of age-related decrease in plasma levels of sex steroids to lipoprotein profiles and also to sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels in 82 healthy men. As result, the plasma levels of sex steroids were found to be unrelated to low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), while the plasma level of estradiol (E₂) was positively correlated with high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). The ratio of E₂/free testosterone (T) was positively correlated with the SHBG levels which increased with advancing age. Our findings suggest that the estrogen/testosterone balance may be involved in the regulation of hepatic SHBG production.