A single measurement of serum 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) level can be unreliable because of its marked diurnal variation. We investigated the relationship of serum level of 17OHP with that of androstenedione (AD), which shows a smaller diurnal variation. And we tested whether the responses of these two hormones to low-dose ACTH stimulation are correlated in patients with 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Baseline serum 17OHP and AD levels were measured in 87 patients and a low-dose ACTH stimulation test was performed in 41 patients. The basal 17OHP level correlated positively with the basal AD level independently of sex, type of 21-hydroxylase deficiency, and the time of day of blood sampling (n = 87, R2 = 0.75, P < 0.001). The area under the curve of 17OHP and AD correlated positively with their respective basal levels. The fold-change increase in 17OHP after ACTH injection correlated negatively with the basal 17OHP level, but that of AD did not correlate with the basal AD level. The random serum 17OHP level, used in the clinic, is a reliable guide and a low-dose ACTH stimulation test provides no extra benefit for assessing the treatment adequacy in patients with 21-hydroxylase deficiency.
17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone/*blood ; Adolescent ; Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone/*diagnostic use ; Androstenedione/*blood ; Circadian Rhythm ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Steroid 21-Hydroxylase/metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo assess the utility of serum steroids measurement in monitoring the treatment of children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD).

METHODNineteen Patients with CAH 21OHD aged (3.67±1.54) years treated with hydrocortisone and fluorocortisone replacement were followed up at an intervals of 0.33 - 1.0 years over a period of (1.47±0.7) years. At each visit, roentgenograms of the hands and wrists were taken, fasting peripheral blood were collected to test serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), androstenedione (Δ4-A), testosterone, free testosterone, estrone, and estradiol concentrations at 8 AM in the morning before the first dose of glucocorticoid. Then the patients were classified as being in "Good Control" or in "Poor Control" based on clinical criteria including signs of androgen excess, growth velocity and bone age increment at each interval. Comparisons were carried out between the serum steroid concentrations of the two groups. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine the cut-off values for diagnosing "Poor Control".

RESULTBoth of serum Δ4-A and 17-OHP concentrations were higher in "Poor Control" group than those in "Good Control" group [5.95 (2.23-11.2) nmol/L versus 1.05 (1.05-9.89) nmol/L, t=2.19; 13.85 (6.06-20) µg/L versus 3.67 (0.42-21.1) µg/L, t=2.17; P<0.05, respectively]. The ROC curves for serum Δ4-A concentrations, serum 17-OHP concentrations, serum Δ4-A in combination with 17-OHP concentrations were constructed with areas under the ROC curves (95%CI) of 0.76 (0.62, 0.90), 0.75 (0.62, 0.88), 0.69 (0.54, 0.84), P<0.05, respectively. Serum Δ4-A of 3.9 nmol/L had 0.78 of sensitivity and 0.75 of specificity in diagnosing "Poor Control". Serum 17-OHP of 7.1 µg/L has 0.67 of sensitivity and 0.71 of specificity in diagnosing "Poor Control".

CONCLUSIONEach of serum 17-OHP or/and Δ4-A concentration was of significance in diagnosing "Poor Control" during the glucocorticoid replacement treatment of CAH 21OHD, with the diagnostic efficacy being serum Δ4-A concentration, serum 17-OHP concentration and serum Δ4-A in combination with 17-OHP concentration in descending order. Serum Δ4-A and 17-OHP concentrations may be used as the biochemical indicators to monitor the therapy of CAH 21OHD.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone ; blood ; Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital ; blood ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Androstenedione ; blood ; Child, Preschool ; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; blood ; Male ; Progesterone ; blood ; Steroid 21-Hydroxylase ; blood ; Testosterone ; blood

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to measure maternal plasma androgens and estrogen levels and to assess the role of these hormones in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. METHODS: The groups consisted of 28 healthy pregnant women as well as 24 pregnant women with severe preeclampsia. Plasma total testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and androstenedione (ADD) levels were measured. Statistical analysis was achieved with Student's t-test by using SPSS for Windows and the Pearson's coefficient of correlation was calculated. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding age, gestational age, body mass index, parity, hematocrit and platelet, whereas significant differences were noted regarding systolic and diastolic blood pressure, gestational weeks at delivery, birth weight, serum creatinine, uric acid and urea. In preeclampsia group, serum total testosterone and ADD levels were determined to be higher than the control group (p<0.05). However, there was no significant differences in plasma levels of DHEAS and E2 among the two groups (p>0.05). Serum testosterone levels were positively correlated with systolic and diastolic pressure and uric acid and negatively correlated with birth weight. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the elevated plasma levels of testosterone could contribute to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.
Androgens ; Androstenedione ; Birth Weight ; Blood Platelets ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Creatinine ; Dehydroepiandrosterone ; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ; Estradiol ; Estrogens* ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Parity ; Plasma* ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third* ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnant Women ; Testosterone ; Urea ; Uric Acid

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to measure maternal plasma androgens, estrogen and leptin levels and to assess the role of these hormones in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. METHODS: The groups consisted of 32 healthy pregnant women as well as 28 pregnant women with severe preeclampsia. Plasma leptin, total testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and androstenedione (ADD) levels were measured. Statistical analysis was achieved with Student's t-test by using SPSS for Windows and the Pearson's coefficient of correlation was calculated. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding age, gestational age, body mass index, parity, hematocrit and platelet, whereas significant differences were noted regarding systolic and diastolic blood pressure, gestational weeks at delivery, birth weight, serum creatinine, uric acid and urea (p<0.05). In preeclampsia group, serum total testosterone and ADD levels were determined to be higher than the control group (p<0.05). However, there was no significant differences in plasma levels of DHEAS and E2 among the two groups. The plasma levels of leptin were not significantly increased in the preeclampsia group. Serum testosterone levels were positively correlated with systolic and diastolic pressure and uric acid and negatively correlated with birth weight. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the elevated plasma levels of testosterone could contribute to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.
Androgens ; Androstenedione ; Birth Weight ; Blood Platelets ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Creatinine ; Dehydroepiandrosterone ; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ; Estradiol ; Estrogens ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones* ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Leptin* ; Parity ; Plasma* ; Pre-Eclampsia* ; Pregnant Women ; Testosterone ; Urea ; Uric Acid

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to measure maternal plasma androgens, estrogen and leptin levels and to assess the role of these hormones in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. METHODS: The groups consisted of 32 healthy pregnant women as well as 28 pregnant women with severe preeclampsia. Plasma leptin, total testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and androstenedione (ADD) levels were measured. Statistical analysis was achieved with Student's t-test by using SPSS for Windows and the Pearson's coefficient of correlation was calculated. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding age, gestational age, body mass index, parity, hematocrit and platelet, whereas significant differences were noted regarding systolic and diastolic blood pressure, gestational weeks at delivery, birth weight, serum creatinine, uric acid and urea (p<0.05). In preeclampsia group, serum total testosterone and ADD levels were determined to be higher than the control group (p<0.05). However, there was no significant differences in plasma levels of DHEAS and E2 among the two groups. The plasma levels of leptin were not significantly increased in the preeclampsia group. Serum testosterone levels were positively correlated with systolic and diastolic pressure and uric acid and negatively correlated with birth weight. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the elevated plasma levels of testosterone could contribute to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.
Androgens ; Androstenedione ; Birth Weight ; Blood Platelets ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Creatinine ; Dehydroepiandrosterone ; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ; Estradiol ; Estrogens ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones* ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Leptin* ; Parity ; Plasma* ; Pre-Eclampsia* ; Pregnant Women ; Testosterone ; Urea ; Uric Acid

AIMTo study the effects of Boesenbergia rotunda (Krachai) on sexual behaviour in male albino rats.

METHODSThirty-two male Wistar rats were equally divided into four groups: experimental groups were gavaged with the ethanolic extract of the rhizome of B. rotunda at doses of 60, 120 and 240 mg/kg and a control group received distilled water, for 60 days. Sexual behaviour, reproductive organs, diameter of seminiferous tubule, epididymal sperm density, and androgenic hormones were evaluated.

RESULTSWithin 30-min observation, there was no significant difference of courtship behaviour, mount frequency (MF), intromission frequency (IF), mount latency (ML), intromission latency (IL), copulatory efficiency or intercopulatory interval in male rats. In three 10-min intervals over a 30-min period, courtship behaviour and MF during the first 10-min were significantly higher than those in the second and third 10-min observation in all groups, whereas IF had no significant difference. All doses of B. rotunda extract significantly increased the relative testicular weight and the diameter of the seminiferous tubules. The dose of 60 mg/kg also significantly increased the relative weight of the seminal vesicle. Nevertheless, the sperm density, serum testosterone and androstenedione levels were not affected by the B. rotunda extract.

CONCLUSIONB. rotunda does not affect sexual behaviour nor serum androgenic levels.

Androstenedione ; blood ; Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Seminiferous Tubules ; drug effects ; pathology ; Sexual Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Sperm Count ; Testis ; drug effects ; pathology ; Testosterone ; blood ; Zingiberaceae

In order to explore the effects of metformin combined with cyproterone acetate (CPA) on the clinical features, endocrine and metabolism of the patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), 50 cases of non-obese PCOS were randomly subjected to CPA (CPA treatment group, n = 25) and CPA+ metformin (n = 25) treatment for 6 months. Before and after treatment the body mass index (BMI), waist : hip ratio (WHR), ovarian volume, serum gonadotrophin, androgen and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels, and fasting lipid, glucose and insulin levels were measured. The results showed that all of the parameters in two groups were similar before treatment. After treatment for 6 months in the CPA+ metformin group, BMI and WHR were significantly decreased, while insulin sensitivity was significantly decreased as Compared with those before treatment. In CPA group, no significant changes were found before and after treatment. Combined use of CPA and metformin could result in the reduction of serum androstenedione and increases of serum SHBG levels as compared with the CPA treatment alone. It was concluded that combined use of CPA and metformin could improve the insulin sensitivity, and further suppress the hyperandrogenism in non-obese women with PCOS.
Androgen Antagonists/therapeutic use ; Androstenedione/blood ; Body Mass Index ; Cyproterone Acetate/*therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Hypoglycemic Agents/*therapeutic use ; Insulin Resistance ; Metformin/*therapeutic use ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/*drug therapy