In benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is found to have a regional distribution, with concentrations in the periurethral zone (where the primitive fibrostromal nodule originates) higher than those of the peripheral subcapsular zone. The aim of the present investigation was to verify whether androgens and epidermal growth factor (EGF) are uniformly distributed from the periurethral to the peripheral zone or whether they show regional differences. Tissue samples, removed by transvesical resection from nine untreated BPH patients, sectioned in periurethral, subcapsular, and intermediate zones, were examined. In the periurethral zone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), testosterone, and EGF, determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA) techniques after purification on Celite microcolumns and Sep-pak C18 cartridge, showed values significantly higher (mean +/- SD: 1121 +/- 482 pg, 250 +/- 129 pg, and 6.89 +/- 3.28 ng/mg DNA, respectively; P < 0.01) than those of the subcapsular zone (489 +/- 190 pg, 114 +/- 70 pg, and 3.40 +/- 1.90 ng/mg DNA, respectively). A positive linear correlation between EGF, testosterone, and DHT was also observed. The regional distribution of EGF, testosterone, and DHT was similar to that found for bFGF: the highest levels of these factors in the periurethral region allow us to hypothesize on their possible involvement in the rewakening of mesenchymal tissue, leading to the formation of the primitive fibrostromal nodule and then to BPH development.

In normal men a single dose of hCG induces an increase in plasma testosterone (T) and 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17 alpha-OHP) 2-4 h after the injection; after 24-36 h a maximum increase in plasma 17 beta-estradiol (E2) and 17 alpha-OHP occurs followed by a second surge in T after 48-96 h. The present investigation focuses on the effect of a single dose of hCG (3500 IU/m2 body surface) on testicular steroid production in 12 boys aged 13 months to 12 yr. Plasma hCG, 17 alpha-OHP, androstenedione (A), T, dihydrotestosterone, and E2 were measured basally and 2, 4, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after hCG administration. Plasma hCG was measured using a double antibody RIA technique and steroids by RIA after celite chromatography. The results show that hCG peaked 2 h after administration of the hormone and high levels persisted for up until 72 h. Plasma T and dihydrotestosterone increased after 48 h and remained significantly high for another 48 h; 17 alpha-OHP, A, and E2 did not change. These findings show that hCG stimulation in prepubertal boys induces significant production of T without affecting the precursors or aromatization product, in contrast to observation in the adult man, where 17 alpha-OHP, A, and E2 increase significantly. A response comparable to that observed in children has been recorded in adult males with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

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The possibility that hirsutism is an evolving syndrome rather than a static condition involving only one gland has been considered. To assess this proposal 60 untreated hirsute patients aged 12-32 years were divided into five groups according to the duration of the hirsutism (less than 1, 1-2, 2-3, 3-5 and greater than 5 years). Peripheral plasma concentrations of LH and FSH, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, testosterone, 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol, 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta, 17 beta-diol, cortisol, oestradiol-17 beta and oestrone were determined by radioimmunoassay. When the values obtained were compared with those from normal menstruating women, the results showed that in group I there was a significant increase only in the mean plasma 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol concentration. The mean concentration of this steroid was also raised in all other groups. In groups II and III mean basal levels of plasma dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate were also significantly increased and showed a marked increase after ACTH stimulation (1 mg tetracosactide acetate, i.m.) as did the concentrations of androstenedione and 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone. Finally, in groups IV and V, a significant increase in mean plasma concentrations of LH, androstenedione, oestrone and testosterone was found in the basal condition. The clinical picture also became gradually more severe from group I to group V. These data suggest that hirsutism could be an evolving syndrome progressively involving peripheral androgen metabolism, the adrenal gland and finally the ovary possibly through alterations of hypothalamic-pituitary function.