title: High levels of serum allopregnanolone in women with premature ovarian failure.
abstract: The endocrine characteristics of patients with premature ovarian failure (POF) have not been fully elucidated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether steroidogenic activity in women with POF is different with respect to fertile and postmenopausal subjects. In particular, circulating levels of allopregnanolone, a neuroactive steroid involved in modulation of reproductive function in rats, have been evaluated and correlated with serum levels of delta 4 precursor (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS)), delta 5 intermediates (androstenedione, 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), progesterone) and final products (estradiol and testosterone) of androgens. Levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were also determined. In all cases specific radioimmunological assays were used. Women with POF showed statistically significantly lower concentrations of 17-OHP, androstenedione and testosterone when compared to fertile controls, while no differences were found between women with POF and postmenopausal women. Serum DHEAS levels were similar in POF patients and in fertile controls and higher with respect to postmenopausal women. Serum allopregnanolone levels were significantly higher in women with POF than in postmenopausal and in fertile women. A significant inverse correlation between allopregnanolone levels and menopausal age in patients with POF was observed while no significant correlation was found between allopregnanolone and progesterone, androstenedione, 17-OHP and testosterone levels. In conclusion, allopregnanolone is scarcely influenced by the reduction of ovarian and adrenal activity observed in POF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bernardi
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hartmann
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Casarosa
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Luisi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stomati
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fadalti
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Florio
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santuz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Luisi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Petraglia
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Genazzani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology*; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000378:metabolism*; D011280:Pregnanolone / Q000097:blood*; D016649:Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / Q000378:metabolism*; D013256:Steroids / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D006728:Hormones; D013256:Steroids; D011280:Pregnanolone