Concentration of Unconjugated Estrogens, Androgens and Gestagens in Ovarian and Peripheral Venous Plasma of Women: The Normal Menstrual Cycle¹

Abstract

The concentrations of unconjugated estrone (Ei), estradiol (E 2 ), testosterone (T), androstenedione (A) and progesterone (P) were measured in peripheral and ovarian venous plasma collected from 18 healthy women on days 7-30 of the menstrual cycle at the time of elective tubal ligation. An additional 4 steroids, pregnenolone, 17a-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), 20«-dihydroxyprogesterone (20-OHP) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), were measured in ovarian venous plasma. In 2 subjects, one in the follicular phase and one in the luteal phase, blood was obtained from both ovaries. There was evidence of secretion by the ovary of all the steroids measured. Of the Cis and Cio steroids, E2 and A, respectively, were secreted by the ovary in largest amounts. There was a wide range of concentration of each steroid in ovarian venous plasma collected at the same time of the cycle from different subjects. High concentrations of E 2 were associated with high levels of Ei, T and A. DHEA appeared to be higher in plasma from the less actively secreting ovary. Equally high values of all these steroids were found in specimens from both phases of the cycle. There clearly was secretion of progesterone in the luteal phase from the ovary containing the corpus luteum. In the subject where bilateral sampling was performed, the ovary that did not contain the corpus luteum secreted lesser, though still significant, amounts of P than the one containing the corpus luteum. In the follicular phase, there was a suggestion of secretion of P in 2 cases. In 3 of 4 subjects in the follicular phase in which 17-OHP was measured, it was increased; in one of these, 17-OHP was higher in blood from the ovary secreting the smaller amount of e3trogen. In the luteal phase, high levels of 17-OHP were found in some subjects. The relationship between 17-OHP and P or E 2 was not consistent. The range of concentrations of all the steroids in the peripheral plasma was much less than in the ovarian plasma. The ratios of A/T and E2/Ei in ovarian vein plasma were 4-6 times higher than in peripheral vein plasma. (J Clin Endocr 32: 155, 1971) M OST of the concepts concerning the endocrine events in the menstrual cycle have been deiived from observations

The Site of Secretion of Androstenedione in Non-Pregnant Women

“…The relative contribution of the different functional compartments of the ovary (follicle, corpus luteum or interstitial tissue) to the total ovarian secretion of andro¬ stenedione, was investigated by comparing the concentration of androstenedione in plasma draining each ovary. The range of values was similar to those previously published using double isotope derivative methods Gandy & Peterson, 1968;Lloyd, Lobotsky, Baird, McCracken, Weisz, Pupkin, Zanartu & Puga, 1971). In the early follicular phase of the cycle there was no difference between the concentration of androstenedione in plasma draining each ovary.…”

Ovarian Secretion Rates of Oestrogens, Androgens and Progesterone in Normal Women and in Women With Persistent Ovarian Follicles

“…Peripheral levels of the steroids measured agree with values observed by others during the cycle (Baird 8c Guevara 1969; van der Molen 8c Aakvaag 1967; Eik-Nes 1968), while ovarian venous steroid levels are in the same range as those found by Mikhail (1970) and Lloyd et al (1971). The high concentra¬ tions of steroids in follicular fluid as compared with the ovarian venous plasma may reflect the poor secretion of follicular steroids into ovarian venous blood.…”

“…The secretion of ovarian steroids in the human has also been studied in vivo by measurement of concentrations of steroid hormones in ovarian venous blood or plasma (Rivarola et al 1967; Gandy 8c Peterson 1968; Mikhail 1970;Lloyd et al 1971). It has been difficult, however, to correlate the data obtained from in vitro studies with those from in vivo work, since often no close attention was paid to the exact stage of the menstrual cycle in which ovarian venous blood was collected.…”

Effect of enucleation of the corpus luteum at different stages of the luteal phase of the human menstrual cycle on subsequent follicular development

“…These results, together with the high concentration of these steroids in the CL (Swanston, McNatty & Baird, 1977) and in ovarian venous blood (Mikhail, 1970;Lloyd et al, 1971;Baird, 1977;Aedo et al, 1980), are conclusive proof that the CL is the major source of oestradiol and progesterone in the luteal phase of the human menstrual cycle. The suppression of FSH and LH for 12-24 h after operation was probably due to the effect of general anaesthesia and post-operative sedation (Charters, Odell & Thompson, 1969;Carstensen, Amer, Wide & Amer, 1973;Yen, Vandenberg, Tsai & Parker, 1974).…”