SERUM 5-ANDROSTENE-3-BETA,17-BETA-DIOL SULFATE AND 5-ALPHA-ANDROSTANE-3-ALPHA,17-BETA-DIOL SULFATE IN HIRSUTE FEMALES WITH POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN DISEASE

Serum sulphates of 5-androstene-3β,17β-diol (5-ADIOL-S), 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol (3α-DIOL-S) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA-S), unconjugated androstenedione (AD) and testosterone (T), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), free androgen index (FAI), 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP), luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured by specific radioimmunoassay in 28 hirsute women with polycystic ovarian disease (PCO) and in normal women (n = 73). Mean levels of steroids measured were significantly elevated, and SHBG significantly depressed, in the women with PCO with values (mean ± SE) for 5-ADIOL-S (516 ± 51 vs 267 ± 10 nmol/l), 3α-DIOL-S (130 ± 9 vs 52 ± 2 nmol/l), DHEA-S (7.3 ±0.5 vs 4.4 ± 0.2 μmol/l), AD (ll.3 ± 1.1 vs 3.4 ± 0.2 nmol/l), T (3.3 ± 0.2 vs 1.5 ± 0.1 nmol/l) and 170HP (5.1 ± 0.8 vs 2.8 ± 0.2 nmol/l). SHBG levels were 31 ±2.9 vs 65 ± 2.5 nmol/l, and the free androgen index [100 × T (nmol/l) ÷ (SHBG nmol/l)] was 12.5 ± 1.4 vs 2.4 ± 0.1. The mean LH to FSH ratio was also elevated at 2.8 ± 0.3. These studies suggest that the measurement of 5-ADIOL-S and DHEA-S may indicate adrenal gland involvement in PCO while 3α-DIOL-S appears to be a reflection of peripheral androgen metabolism. A comprehensive biochemical profile of PCO should thus include the analysis of these sulphoconjugates as well as unconjugated steroids. © 1990.