Menopause related changes of adrenocortical steroid production.
To elucidate changes of adrenocortical steroid production with age, reproductive age (n = 14), peri-menopausal (n = 12) and post-menopausal (n = 13) women were studied using basal hormone levels and the results of a rapid ACTH stimulation test. Peripheral serum levels of pregnenolone, 17 alpha-hydroxypregnenolone, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione were measured by RIA. The basal levels of all steroids except pregnenolone decreased with age. A significant increase in the levels of all steroids after ACTH stimulation was observed in all subjects. Although, there was an age related decrease in the response of C19-steroids to ACTH, the response of pregnenolone and 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone to ACTH did not alter with age. The preserved response of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone to ACTH in post-menopausal women suggests that 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone production plays a role in the age independency of cortisol. In the present paper, the changes in the capacity of the post-menopausal adrenal cortex to produce androgens and C21-steroids were demonstrated.
Akamatsu
T
T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Chiba
H
H
Kamiyama
H
H
Hirose
K
K
Saito
H
H
Yanaihara
T
T
D006907:17-alpha-Hydroxypregnenolone / Q000097:blood; D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000378:metabolism*; D000304:Adrenal Cortex Function Tests; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011284:Pregnenolone / Q000096:biosynthesis
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D006907:17-alpha-Hydroxypregnenolone; D011284:Pregnenolone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone