title: Premature ovarian failure: steroid synthesis and autoimmunity.
abstract: The androgen biosynthesis and autoimmunity of 25 patients with premature ovarian failure (POF) and 18 control subjects with normal cycles were examined. Serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), androstenedione, and testosterone were analyzed in POF patients with or without organ-specific autoimmunity, and the results compared with those of women with normal ovarian function. The comparative analysis of DHEAS, 17-OHP, androstenedione and testosterone showed that POF patients had significantly lower values than normal women (DHEAS, androstenedione and testosterone p < 0.01, 17-OHP p < 0.05). Furthermore, we found one or more organ-specific autoantibodies in 11 patients with POF (44%), while only one woman in the control group showed autoimmunity (antithyroid microsome) (5.5%). Only one patient had both anti-ovarian and anti-adrenal antibodies (4%). The comparison of androgen levels in POF patients with or without autoimmunity revealed a statistically significant reduction of DHEAS levels in POF patients with organ-specific autoimmunity (p < 0.01). These data reveal the reduction in androgen synthesis in POF patients, particularly in those with organ-specific autoimmunity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Milan, H. San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Italy.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Doldi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Belvisi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bassan
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Fusi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferrari
mesh_terms: D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone / Q000097:blood; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000276:immunology; D000328:Adult; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000502:physiology*; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006386:Hemagglutination Tests; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D010053:Ovary / Q000276:immunology; D016649:Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013256:Steroids / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D013739:Testosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D013256:Steroids; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone