Testosterone administration increases adrenal response to adrenocorticotrophin.
OBJECTIVE
Various studies have demonstrated coexistence of ovarian and adrenal hyperandrogenism in women. This study was designed to determine whether testosterone can increase the response of the adrenal gland to stimulation by adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH).


METHODS
Non-randomized intervention in a university teaching hospital.


METHODS
Twenty androgen-treated female-to-male transsexual patients (10 ovariectomized and 10 non-ovariectomized) and 10 normal female controls.


METHODS
ACTH stimulation tests were performed in all subjects. Baseline values and the increase above baseline values after ACTH stimulation were assessed for cortisol and the adrenal androgens androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate.


RESULTS
Increases in levels of cortisol, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone after administration of ACTH were greater in testosterone-treated transsexual patients than controls.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that testosterone increases the response of the adrenal gland to stimulation by ACTH.
Department of Internal Medicine, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
K H
KH
Polderman
L J
LJ
Gooren
E A
EA
van der Veen
D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D010052:Ovariectomy; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014189:Transsexualism / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology
D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone