Is hirsutism an evolving syndrome?

1983 ◽  
Vol 97 (3) ◽  
pp. 379-387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Toscano ◽  
M. V. Adamo ◽  
Stefania Caiola ◽  
Sonia Foli ◽  
Elisa Petrangeli ◽  
...  

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 (< 1, 1–2, 2–3, 3–5 and > 5 years). Peripheral plasma concentrations of LH and FSH, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, testosterone, 5α-dihydrotestosterone, 5α-androstane-3α, 17β-diol, 5α-androstane-3β, 17β-diol, cortisol, oestradiol-17β 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 5α-androstane-3α, 17β-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 17α-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.

Reproduction ◽  
2000 ◽  
pp. 49-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
SD Johnston ◽  
MR McGowan ◽  
P O'Callaghan ◽  
R Cox ◽  
V Nicolson

As an integral part of the development of an artificial insemination programme in the captive koala, female reproductive physiology and behaviour were studied. The oestrous cycle in non-mated and mated koalas was characterized by means of behavioural oestrus, morphology of external genitalia and changes in the peripheral plasma concentrations of oestradiol and progestogen. The mean (+/- SEM) duration of the non-mated oestrous cycle and duration of oestrus in 12 koalas was 32.9 +/- 1.1 (n = 22) and 10.3 +/- 0.9 (n = 24) days, respectively. Although the commencement of oestrous behaviour was associated with increasing or high concentrations of oestradiol, there were no consistent changes in the morphology or appearance of the clitoris, pericloacal region, pouch or mammary teats that could be used to characterize the non-mated cycle. As progestogen concentrations remained at basal values throughout the interoestrous period, non-mated cycles were considered non-luteal and presumed anovulatory. After mating of the 12 koalas, six females gave birth with a mean (+/- SEM) gestation of 34.8 +/- 0.3 days, whereas the remaining six non-parturient females returned to oestrus 49.5 +/- 1. 0 days later. After mating, oestrous behaviour ceased and the progestogen profile showed a significant increase in both pregnant and non-parturient females, indicating that a luteal phase had been induced by the physical act of mating. Progestogen concentrations throughout the luteal phase of the pregnant females were significantly higher than those of non-parturient females. Parturition was associated with a decreasing concentration of progestogen, which was increased above that of basal concentrations until 7 days post partum.


1972 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 461-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. H. de JONG ◽  
H. J. van der MOLEN

SUMMARY A method for the measurement of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) and of its sulphate (DHAS) in human peripheral plasma is described and evaluated. After isolation of DHA from the sample the steroid is oxidized to 4-androstene-3,6,17-trione, which is measured with an electron capture detector after gas—liquid chromatography. It is possible to detect 100 pg 4-androstene-3,6,17-trione. The smallest amount of DHA per sample that can be distinguished from zero is approximately 4 ng, when recovery (27·9 ± 8·8%) and method blank (0·23 ± 0·38 ng) are taken into account. The oxidation to 4-ene-3,6-diones is specific for steroidal 5-en-3-ols. Specificity for DHA is ensured by several chromatographic steps. Repeated estimation of 10 ng DHA gave a mean value of 9·6 ± 1·45 (s.d.) ng (n = 35). Mean concentrations and their standard deviations for DHA and DHAS in peripheral plasma from 18 individuals were 0·50 ± 0·25 and 78 ± 40 μg/100 ml, respectively, at 08.30 h and 0·32 ± 0·17 and 84 ± 34 μg/100 ml, respectively, at 17.00 h of the same day. Levels of plasma cortisol in the same plasma samples estimated with a competitive protein-binding method were 16·7 ± 1·8 and 11·9 ± 3·8 μg/100 ml, respectively. No significant differences between the sexes were observed by any of the three assays. The mean values of the plasma concentrations of cortisol and DHA in the morning were significantly higher than those in the evening (P < 0·001 and P < 0·005, respectively). In contrast, the mean value of the plasma levels of DHAS in the morning was significantly lower than that in the evening (P < 0·025).


1972 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. D. THORBURN ◽  
W. SCHNEIDER

SUMMARY Progesterone concentrations in the peripheral plasma of goats were measured by a protein-binding assay. The mean concentration was extremely low on the day of oestrus (0·2 ng/ml) and was not significantly different from that found in anoestrous or ovariectomized animals. The concentration increased to a maximum of 4 ng/ml on about day 10 of the 21-day cycle, and decreased rapidly during the last 3 days of the cycle. Plasma progesterone concentration during early pregnancy (2·5–3·5 ng/ml) was similar to the luteal phase value and remained steady from day 8 to day 60. Between days 60 and 70 there was a secondary increase in progesterone concentration which was maintained at this increased level (4·5–5·5 ng/ml) until just before parturition. In twin-bearing animals, the secondary increase was greater. Progesterone concentration decreased rapidly during the 1–2 days preceding parturition, but the concentration was still quite high on the day of parturition (1·25 ng/ml). The progesterone concentration in peripheral plasma was markedly increased during anaesthesia and the operation. After bilateral ovariectomy of the pregnant goat, peripheral progesterone concentration fell rapidly from 9 to 2·5 ng/ml during the first ½ h and then more slowly during the next 5–6 h. The animals aborted 36–48 h later. A consistent positive arterio—venous difference for progesterone was observed across the pregnant uterus in two unanaesthetized goats. These results indicate that the ovary is the main site of progesterone production in the pregnant goat and that production by the placenta is small and unlikely to influence the level of this hormone in the maternal circulation.


2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-97
Author(s):  
Vinay Vadvadgi ◽  
Neeta Padmawar

ABSTRACT Background and objective Plasma leptin is associated in patients with inflammatory diseases. A high concentration of leptin is associated with healthy gingival tissue. The purpose of this study was to assess the concentration of human leptin in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum within healthy and diseased gingiva, further to explore the possibility of using the levels of leptin in GCF and serum as a biochemical marker of periodontal disease progression. Materials and methods Ninety subjects were selected with age (30-39 years) and sex (15 males and 15 females) matched, to eliminate age and sex as confounders. The subjects were divided into three groups consisting of 30 subjects in each group based on the clinical and radiological parameters; healthy (group I), gingivitis (group II), periodontitis (group III), from whom the GCF samples were collected with Periopaper GCF collection strips (Proflow, Amityville, NY, USA) for 30 seconds and blood samples with 20-gauge needle syringe respectively. Leptin concentration was determined from individual GCF and serum samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results The highest mean leptin concentration in GCF was observed in group I (2,664.30 pg/ml ± 324.73) and least mean leptin concentration was obtained in group III (1,309.43 pg/ml ± 202.45). The mean concentration of group II (1,639.43 pg/ml ± 344.46) was intermediate between the highest and lowest values. In contrast, the highest mean leptin concentration in serum was obtained for group III (12,086.57 pg/ml ± 1,698.23) and least mean leptin concentration was obtained for group I (8,715.09 pg/ml ± 1,649.19). The mean concentration of the group II (10,694.01 pg/ml ± 1,777.72) were intermediate between the highest and lowest values. Conclusion The results indicated a statistically significant decrease in the GCF leptin concentration and increase in serum leptin concentration as the periodontal disease progressed. How to cite this article Vadvadgi VH, Saini R, Padmawar N. An Evaluation and Correlation of Leptin in Gingival Crevicular Fluid and Serum in Health, Gingivitis and Periodontitis. Int J Experiment Dent Sci 2012;1(2):93-97.


1992 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-44
Author(s):  
S Georgala ◽  
K Schulpis ◽  
G Tolis

Plasma concentrations of adrenocorticotrophic hormone, Cortisol, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone, Δ4-androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate were determined in 10 regularly menstruating hirsute women 0, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after intravenous injection of 100 μg corticotrophin releasing factor. The baseline concentrations of adrenocorticotrophic hormone, Cortisol, progesterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate were within the normal range, whereas the mean Δ4-androstenedione and testosterone concentrations were mildly elevated. The administration of corticotrophin releasing factor induced a rapid and significant increase in plasma concentrations of adrenocorticotrophic hormone, Cortisol, 17-hydroxyprogesterone and Δ4-androstenedione after 60 min, whereas dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and testosterone concentrations were not significantly elevated. These findings suggest that the corticotrophin releasing factor test can readily be used as an out-patient procedure to exclude adrenal hirsutism.


1986 ◽  
Vol 108 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Moutsatsou ◽  
R. E. Oakey

ABSTRACT The concentration of oestriol and the proportion of this hormone not bound to plasma protein were measured using radioimmunoassay and centrifugal ultrafiltration respectively, in 55 samples of plasma obtained from 12 women in the last 2 to 7 weeks of uncomplicated pregnancy. Among individuals, the mean plasma concentration of oestriol varied from 25·8 to 94·8 nmol/l; in nine subjects, there was a tendency for oestriol concentrations to increase as delivery approached. The mean proportion of oestriol not bound to plasma protein in the different subjects varied from 13·1 to 18·9%, but values from any individual subject remained essentially constant during the periods of study. These measured values were used to calculate, for each sample, the apparent concentration of oestriol not bound to plasma protein. The results were combined with analogous values for oestradiol and progesterone obtained from the same plasma samples and described in a previous study. It was found that (i) the mean ratio of the concentration of oestriol and oestradiol was 0·75, (ii) the mean concentration of non-protein-bound oestriol was 8·7 times that of non-protein-bound oestradiol, and (iii) in individual subjects, there was no consistent trend as delivery approached in the ratio of the concentration of progesterone to that of oestriol in either the total or non-protein-bound form. J. Endocr. (1986) 108, 75–80


1991 ◽  
Vol 37 (8) ◽  
pp. 1412-1415 ◽  
Author(s):  
O Mäentausta ◽  
M Menjivar ◽  
R Vihko

Abstract We describe a time-resolved immunofluorometric assay (TR-IFMA) for human 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17HSD) in which antibody-coated microtiter strip wells and europium chelate-labeled polyclonal antibodies are used. In preparing the label, a polyclonal antibody is affinity-purified and derivatized with diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid. With this derivative, five to eight europium ions can be combined with one antibody molecule without decreasing the antibody's immunoreactivity. The minimum detectable concentration of 17HSD is 0.13 microgram/L; the intra- and interassay CVs are less than 8% and less than 15%, respectively, for concentrations between 0.3 and 100 micrograms/L. There is no difference between the concentrations of 17HSD in plasma specimens taken during the proliferative and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle, the measured mean concentration being 0.22 microgram/L. We found no correlation between plasma 17HSD and progesterone concentrations. The plasma concentrations of 17HSD increase during pregnancy, the mean concentrations being 1.5, 4.4, and 12.5 micrograms/L, during the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy, respectively. In the specimens from 18 men, the mean concentration was 0.18 microgram/L. In six plasma specimens from patients with endometrial adenocarcinoma, the mean concentration was 0.20 micrograms/L. Pre-analytical aspects are important in the assay of 17HSD because of the lability of the enzyme protein. Preferably, blood should be sampled into EDTA-containing tubes, plasma should be separated within 15 min, and glycerol must be added without delay to a final volume of 200 mL/L.


Reproduction ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 149 (5) ◽  
pp. 511-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claude Fabre-Nys ◽  
Audrey Chanvallon ◽  
Nathalie Debus ◽  
Dominique François ◽  
Frédéric Bouvier ◽  
...  

The proportion of anoestrous ewes ovulating after exposure to a sexually active ram is variable mainly due to whether an LH surge is induced. The aim of this study was to determine the role of oestradiol (E2) in the ram-induced LH surge. In one study, we measured the plasma concentrations of E2 in ewes of different breeds before and after the ‘ram effect’ and related these patterns to the presence and latency of the LH surge, while another compared ovarian responses with the ‘ram effect’ following exposure to rams for 2 or 12 h. In all ewes, the concentration of E2 increased 2–4 h after rams were introduced and remained elevated for 14.5±0.86 h. The quantity of E2 secreted before the LH surge varied among breeds as did the mean concentration of E2. The granulosa cells of IF ewes collected after 12 h exposure to rams secreted more E2 and progesterone and had higher levels of StAR than the 2 h group but in MV ewes there was no differences between these groups for any of these parameters. These results demonstrate that the LH surge induced by the rams is a result of increased E2 secretion associated with increased levels of STAR in granulosa cells and that these responses varied among breeds. The results suggest that the variable occurrence of a LH surge and ovulation may be the result of variable ovarian responses to the ‘ram effect’ and insensitivity of the hypothalamus to the E2-positive feedback signal.Free French abstract: A French translation of this abstract is freely available at http://www.reproduction-online.org/content/149/5/511/suppl/DC1.


1991 ◽  
Vol 129 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Taya ◽  
S. Sasamoto

ABSTRACT Mechanisms responsible for suppression of FSH and LH secretion during lactation were investigated in rats, with special reference to the suckling stimulus and ovarian inhibin. Concentrations of immunoreactive inhibin in the peripheral plasma and bioactive inhibin in ovarian venous plasma were always low on days 3 and 5 of lactation in dams nursing eight pups, whereas values were always high on days 17 and 20 of lactation in dams nursing eight pups and on day 5 of lactation in dams nursing two pups. There was an FSH surge within 48 h after removal of litters on days 3 and 5 of lactation in dams nursing eight pups, whereas plasma concentrations of FSH were unchanged within 48 h by removal of litters on days 17 and 20 of lactation in dams nursing eight pups and on day 5 of lactation in dams nursing two pups. Plasma LH concentrations increased significantly compared with those of control animals within 24 h after removal of the litter on any day of lactation, regardless of the litter size. Plasma FSH levels increased within 6 h after bilateral or unilateral ovariectomy in lactating rats only on the days when plasma concentrations of inhibin were high before ovariectomy, such as day 17 of lactation in dams nursing eight pups and on day 5 of lactation in dams nursing two pups, whereas the mean concentrations of plasma LH showed no significant increase within 12 h after bilateral ovariectomy in these lactating rats. Treatment with progesterone or oestradiol-17β after unilateral ovariectomy did not inhibit the increase in plasma FSH levels, while the increase in plasma concentrations of FSH after surgery was completely inhibited by injecting inhibin (porcine follicular fluid). Treatment with steroid hormones inhibited the basal levels of LH in unilateral ovariectomized lactating rats. Plasma FSH concentrations increased sharply within 6 h after a single i.v. injection of anti-inhibin serum on days 10, 15 and 20 of lactation in dams nursing eight pups and on day 5 of lactation in dams nursing two pups, whereas only a small but significant increase in concentrations of FSH was noted 6 h after the antiserum treatment on day 5 of lactation in dams nursing eight pups. Concentrations of plasma LH were unchanged by treatment with antiserum in lactating rats throughout lactation. These findings indicate that the suckling stimulus, rather than ovarian factors, is mainly responsible for the suppression of FSH as well as LH secretion during the first half of lactation in rats nursing eight pups. On the other hand, during the second half of lactation in rats nursing eight pups and throughout lactation in rats nursing two pups, ovarian inhibin plays a primary role in the suppression of FSH secretion, whereas ovarian steroids act to suppress LH secretion. Journal of Endocrinology (1991) 129, 119–130


1982 ◽  
Vol 99 (2) ◽  
pp. 314-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Toscano ◽  
Francesco Sciarra ◽  
Maria Vittoria Adamo ◽  
Elisa Petrangeli ◽  
Sonia Foli ◽  
...  

Abstract. The behaviour of 5α-reduced metabolites of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone1, 3α-androstanediol and 3β-androstanediol, was studied in 36 hirsute women: Group I: 24 patients with high plasma levels of testosterone, androstenedione and/or dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and Group II: 12 patients with normal plasma concentrations of these steroids. Testosterone and its 5α-reduced metabolites were determined by radioimmunoassay after chromatographic separation on celite 535 microcolumns. Plasma 3α-androstanediol was found to be elevated both in Group I (26.9 ± 10.8 sd ng/100 ml) and in Group II patients (23.2 ± 10.5 sd ng/100 ml). 3β-Androstanediol and dihydrotestosterone, on the contrary, were elevated in only a few cases: in 6 cases in Group I and in 2 and in 1 case, respectively, in Group II. The finding of high plasma 3α-androstanediol levels in hirsute women, with normal values of the other androgens, may be an index of hirsutism of peripheral origin, since this steroid is produced almost exclusively in the extraglandular compartment.


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