Year: 1970
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: A reliable radio-ligand assay has been developed for the measurement of 17-hydroxypregnenolone in human peripheral vein plasma. The mean plasma concentration of 17-hydroxypregnenolone was, in men, 1.9 mmug/ml; and in women, 3.5 mmug/ml. These means were not significantly different from each other, and the levels were the same in the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. In women, the adrenal cortex was the source of the 17-hydroxypregnenolone; in men, 40% was produced by the testis. Since the metabolic clearance rate was about 2000 liters/24 hr production rate estimates were 4-7 mg/24 hr. The conversion of blood 17-hydroxypregnenolone to blood 17-hydroxyprogesterone and dehydroepiandrosterone was measured. This varied from 5 to 20%. Thus, in women during the follicular phase, 17-hydroxyprogesterone derived from blood 17-hydroxypregnenolone could be the major fraction of the 17-hydroxyprogesterone production rate. Blood 17-hydroxypregnenolone is a minor precursor of blood dehydroepiandrosterone.
DOI: 10.1172/jci106420
Authors: C. A. Strott, J. A. Bermudez, M. B. Lipsett
Institutions: National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2015436228