Serum C-19 steroid sulphates in females with clinical hyperandrogenism.
Serum sulphates of 5-androstene-3 beta, 17 beta-diol (5-ADIOL-S), 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol (3 alpha-DIOL-S) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA-S), as well as unconjugated androstenedione (AD), testosterone (T) and 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and the free androgen index (FAI) were measured by specific radioimmunoassay in girls with premature adrenarche (n = 9-16), and in hirsute women with (1) late onset 21 hydroxylase deficiency (n = 14), (2) polycystic ovarian disease (n = 28) and (3) idiopathic hirsutism (n = 74). Levels were also determined in females with androgenic alopecia (n = 35-45), in normal prepubertal girls (n = 9-14) and in normal adult women (n = 50-73). Mean serum concentrations of 5-ADIOL-S, 3 alpha-DIOL-S, DHEA-S, AD, T, and FAI were elevated and SHBG depressed, in all patient groups compared with controls, except for DHEA-S and T in patients with alopecia. We conclude that in addition to DHEA-S, 5-ADIOL-S may have a role as a pro-hormone in the synthesis of more potent androgens (T, DHT) in peripheral tissues such as skin; in addition, 3 alpha-DIOL-S may be a marker of peripheral androgen metabolism.
Montalo
J
J
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
Funder
J W
JW
Yong
A B
AB
Callan
A
A
Davies
H E
HE
Connelly
J F
JF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D005260:Female; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008572:Menarche; D011629:Puberty, Precocious / Q000097:blood*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis; D013464:Sulfuric Acids / Q000097:blood*
D000728:Androgens; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013464:Sulfuric Acids; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate