17-Ketosteroids were determined by gas chromatography in twenty four-hour urine samples from 62 hirsute females. The method permitted the determination of androsterone (A), aetiocholanolone (E) and dehydroepiandrosterone (D). Elevated concentrations of one or more of these metabolites were detected in 81% of the samples.Two main patterns of hyperandrogenicity were observed: 1) Hyper A + E (27%) and 2) Hyper A (26%); Elevated AD, AED, D, ED or E were less common, but in total these patterns comprised another 28%.The plasma testosterone and total urinary 17-ketosteroid concentrations were elevated in only 21% and 23% of the samples, respectively. _ Thirty two out of 33 patients with elevated urine metabolites showed significant suppression following dexamethasone administration (2 mg/day during 6 days). Thus, dexamethasone suppressable hyperandrogenicity was predomimant in this group of hirsute females. Elevations of urinary androsterone and aetiocholanolone are probably contingent on the relative activities of 5 -and Sß-reductases 1 ) in the presence of increased androstenedione secretion. Elevations of urinary dehydroepiandrosterone suggest decreased adrenal cortical 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 ) activity. Thus, fractionation of urinary 17-ketosteroids seems to be an effective test in the evaluation of hirsutism.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.