title: Plasma androgens during the luteal phase in a case of true hermaphroditism with bilateral ovotestis.
abstract: A true hermaphrodite with a bilateral ovotestis and a 46 XX karyotype was studied. This 14-year old subject developed ambiguous puberty with bilateral gynecomastia and stage IV public hair. Relatively high level of testosterone (T) (2.80 ng/ml), was found. The 5 alpha-reductase activity for T in the pubic skin was similar to that observed in normal adult males. A hemorrhagic corpus luteum in the left ovotestis was observed at laparotomy. The luteal phase immediately after dexamethasone administration (1 mg/day for 7 days) was characterized by a significant decrease of plasma androgens, T and androstenedione (A). The constantly low level of T (0.30 ng/ml) during the luteal phase in this subject did not appear to be due to the previously administered dexamethasone. This decrease of T production in the luteal phase might be secondary either to the increase of the estradiol-17 beta (E2) secreted by the corpus luteum or to the decrease of LH levels. Both mechanisms might act concomitantly.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bercovici
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nahoul
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Maudelonde
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tater
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Scholler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood*; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D003366:Cosyntropin; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000097:blood; D003907:Dexamethasone; D012734:Disorders of Sex Development / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007621:Karyotyping; D008183:Luteal Phase; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010053:Ovary / Q000002:abnormalities; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013737:Testis / Q000002:abnormalities; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D003366:Cosyntropin; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D003907:Dexamethasone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone