Ovarian hyperandrogenism in adult female rhesus monkeys exposed to prenatal androgen excess.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether there is an ovarian thecal cell component to hyperandrogenism exhibited in adult female rhesus monkeys exposed to androgen excess during prenatal life.


METHODS
Prospective nonrandomized study.


METHODS
An academic research environment.


METHODS
Eleven adult female rhesus monkeys.


METHODS
Five female rhesus monkeys exposed prenatally to T propionate and six normal females underwent blood sampling immediately before and 24 h after a 200-IU IM injection of recombinant hCG.


METHODS
Serum T, 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, DHEAS, and cortisol concentrations determined by RIA.


RESULTS
Prenatally androgenized females exhibited increased T and 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone response to recombinant hCG stimulation, compared to control females. Although serum adrenal DHEAS concentrations were elevated in comparison to control females, the increased levels of DHEAS were not dependent on recombinant hCG stimulation.


CONCLUSIONS
Prenatal androgen excess in female rhesus monkeys causes perturbations in ovarian and adrenal steroidogenesis during adulthood, which may both contribute to hyperandrogenism.
Eisner
Joel R
JR
Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 53715, USA.
Barnett
Melissa A
MA
Dumesic
Daniel A
DA
Abbott
David H
DH
D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone / Q000097:blood; D000728:Androgens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D017588:Hyperandrogenism / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood* / Q000633:toxicity*
D000728:Androgens; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013739:Testosterone; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone