Biosynthesis of Testosterone by a Stein-Leventhal Ovary

Abstract

A Stein-Leventhal ovary from a 23-year-old virilized woman who was excreting a normal amount of 17-ketosteroids incubated with acetate-l-14C formed testosterone-14C.The possibility that certain types of hirsutism, end even virilism in women, may be due to a small increase in testosterone production insufficient to produce a significant increase in urinary 17\ x=r eq-\ ketosteroids is discussed.

On the Etiology of the Stein-Leventhal Syndrome

“…(1962). The qualitative detection of testosterone produced by her ovary, although explaining the hirsutism, does not set oil' this ovary from a normal one (Leon et al, 1962). However, a testosterone rate as high as the one found in the plasma of the patient might depend on the presence of the V chromosome.…”

Urinary Output of Total and Individual Fractions of 17-Ketosteroids in Patients with Acne

“…If this were true, then the involved glands, in acne-predisposed persons, would be the most sensitive indicators for a slight degree of androgen excess. To support this above mentioned possibility, of greatest interest are the recent reports by Dorfman et al [6,27] who found elevated levels of testosterone in the peripheral blood of female patients with hyperandrogenism. One hirsute and virilized woman with acne had increased titers of plasma testosterone and a normal am ount of urinary 17-KS [27].…”

“…To support this above mentioned possibility, of greatest interest are the recent reports by Dorfman et al [6,27] who found elevated levels of testosterone in the peripheral blood of female patients with hyperandrogenism. One hirsute and virilized woman with acne had increased titers of plasma testosterone and a normal am ount of urinary 17-KS [27]. The authors suggest th a t certain types of hirsutism and even virilism m ay result from a small excess of blood testosterone insufficient to produce a significant increase in urinary 17-KS.…”

Der Testosteronstoffwechsel beim Menschen

“…Durch Inkubation radioaktiv markierter Vorläufer wurden folgende Umwandlungen nachgewiesen, wobei die Befunde an pathologischen Ovarien eingeschlossen sind: Acetat in Pregnenolon (II) (63), in 17-Hydroxy-progesteron (59,63), in Dehydroepiandrosteron (IV) (61, 63, 65), in Androstendion (VII) und Testosteron (50,59,61,62,63); Pregnenolon (H) in Progesteron (V) (46), in Dehydroepiandrosteron (IV) (7), in Androstendion (VII) und Testosteron (46,48), sowie in 19-Hydroxy-androstendion (7); Progesteron (V) in 17-Hydroxy-progesteron (VI) (35,44,46,66,70), in Androstendion (VII) und Testosteron (7,11,35,42,46,48,66,70,78) sowie 19-Hydroxy-androstendjon (7); in Androstendion (VII) und Testosteron (42,44,47,48,66); Androstendion (VII) in Testosterori (li,48,66,68); Testosteron in Androstendion (34) und in . Die direkte Umwandlung von Progesteron (V) in Testosteron über Testosteronacetat wurde bisher nur einmal vermutet (24), ohne daß das Zwisdienprodukt unmittelbar nachgewiesen werden konnte.…”