title: Plasma and cyst fluid levels of delta 5 and delta 4 steroid hormones in women with gross cystic breast disease.
abstract: delta 5 and delta 4 steroid levels were studied in the plasma and cyst fluid of women with gross cystic breast disease (GCBD). In luteal phase a significant increase in plasma levels (mean +/- SEM) of DHA (11.2 +/- 2.4 ng/ml), DHAS (1.45 +/- 0.6 micrograms/ml) and cortisol 277 +/- 15.7 ng/ml) was found; in follicular phase the mean levels were 4.09 +/- 0.47 ng/ml for DHA, 0.65 +/- 0.08 microgram/ml for DHAS and 190 +/- 46.3 micrograms/ml for cortisol. The DHA/DHAS and cortisol/androstenedione ratios were significantly higher in the plasma and lower in the cyst fluid of GCBD patients, than in the plasma of controls; the androstenedione/DHA ratio was higher in the cyst fluid than in the plasma of controls. The hormonal situation of the GCBD patients thus differed from that of the controls both in the plasma and cyst fluid, particularly as regards the delta 5 steroids.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Inaudi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bernabei
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gioffré
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Franchi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mazzullo
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: De Leo
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: D'Antona
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D004958:Estradiol / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005348:Fibrocystic Breast Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005498:Follicular Phase; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008183:Luteal Phase; D008875:Middle Aged; D011374:Progesterone / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol