title: Ovarian and adrenal vein steroids in patients with nonneoplastic hyperandrogenism: selective catheterization findings.
abstract: Standardized bilateral ovarian-adrenal vein catheterization was utilized to assess directly glandular steroid release in 60 androgenized women without evidence of a functional neoplasm. Testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), androstenedione (delta 4 A), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA sulfate (DHEA-S), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), and cortisol (F) were measured by radioimmunoassay in samples obtained from a peripheral vein and the four glandular veins (all values are given as nanograms per milliliter, mean +/- standard deviation). Peripheral values were as follows: T, 0.68 +/- 0.43; DHT, 0.32 +/- 0.13; delta 4 A, 2.2 +/- 2.0; DHEA, 8.8 +/- 8.9; DHEA-S, 3137 +/- 1774; 17-OHP, 2.0 +/- 3.0; and F, 216 +/- 121. Peripheral elevations of at least one androgen were found in 80% of the 60 cases (T, 38%; DHT, 18%; delta 4 A, 50%; DHEA, 45%; and DHEA-S, 37%). Ovarian-peripheral vein gradients ( OPGs ) and adrenal-peripheral vein gradients ( APGs ) served as semiquantitative estimates of glandular secretion. OPGs were as follows: T, 0.4 +/- 1.1; DHT, 0.1 +/- 0.2; delta 4 A, 3.4 +/- 7.0; DHEA, 14.6 +/- 100; DHEA-S, -288 +/- 523; 17-OHP, 4.5 +/- 8.4; and F, -35 +/- 47. APGs were as follows: T, 0.88 +/- 1.3; DHT, 1.1 +/- 0.9; delta 4 A, 14.4 +/- 38.4; DHEA, 327 +/- 367; DHEA-S, 854 +/- 1223; 17-OHP, 20.8 +/- 41.3; and F, 1252 +/- 2023. Excess ovarian and/or adrenal androgen output was assumed in a given individual when one or more of the respective T, DHT, delta 4 A, DHEA, and DHEA-S gradients exceeded the upper 95% confidence limits of normal previously established in this laboratory.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000098:blood supply*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000728:Androgens / Q000378:metabolism*; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D002404:Catheterization; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000097:blood; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D010053:Ovary / Q000098:blood supply*; D013256:Steroids / Q000097:blood*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014680:Veins
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D013256:Steroids; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone