Steroid secretion and testosterone binding in a woman with an ovarian hilus cell tumor and thyrotoxicosis

Abstract

Presented is the case of a 21-year-old woman with an ovarian hilus cell tumor and thyrotoxicosis. Despite massivley elevated of serum testosterone, virilization was lacking and cyctic ovulatory menses were maintained. Hypersecretion of thyroxine and an increased circutating testosterone-estradiol binding globulin (TeBG) resulted In a level of free testosterone lower than expected, thereby perhaps accounting for the negligible androgen effect. Determinations of peripheral and ovarian venous steroids provided the first In vivo evidence for the preferred synthesis of testosterone via the AΔ5 pathway in a hilus cell tumor. (Am. J. Osstet. Gynecol. 141:535,1981.)