Plasma Concentrations Of Androstenedione Research Articles

Plasma Androstenedione Concentration Can Discriminate Frail versus Non-Frail Men with Prostate Cancer under Androgen Deprivation Therapy.

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a mainstay of prostate cancer in both adjuvant and palliative settings. Since androgens are crucial for functional status and psychological functions, we evaluated whether blood testosterone, androstenedione, or DHEA concentrations were associated with functional status and psychological alterations in patients with localised (PCa) or metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa) receiving ADT with analogues of luteinising hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH). The five Fried criteria were considered to identify frailty syndrome. In addition, complementary evaluations were carried out to measure other variables of interest. Sleep quality was assessed using the Athens Insomnia Scale, cognitive functions were assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination, and symptoms of depression were measured using the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine if the androgens level could be related to frailty syndrome, sleep impairment, depressive symptoms, and cognitive functions. The results of the multivariate analyses show that high concentrations of androstenedione were significantly associated with frailty syndrome in both groups (p = 0.018; odds ratio = 4.66, 95% confidence interval [1.30-16.6]). There were significant relationships between frailty syndrome and the systemic concentration of androstenedione (p = 0.01), but not the concentration of testosterone (p = 0.60) or DHEA (p = 0.42). In addition, the results of the non-parametric tests show significant results between a decreased gait speed in the two groups (metastatic and localised) and the concentration of androstenedione (p = 0.015). High androstenedione levels were associated with a slow walking speed in the mCaP group (p = 0.016), while high testosterone levels were associated with a better walking speed in the localised CaP group (p = 0.03). For the concentration of androstenedione in plasma, the area under the curve was 0.72, with a 95% CI of 0.55-0.88 with acceptable values, and with a cut-off point of 4.51 pg/mL, a sensitivity of 82.9%, and specificity of 53.8%. No relationships between the concentration of androgens in plasma and sleep quality, cognitive functions, or symptoms of depression suggest that the changes were specific to frailty syndrome. Further research into the role of androstenedione should be evaluated in follow-up studies in order to recommend its use as a suitable biomarker of frailty syndrome in prostate cancer patients.

Endpoints as human biomarkers in exposure assessment of triazoles fungicides

Potential endpoint biomarkers were evaluated in the assessment of exposure to triazoles, in the southern region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Volunteers were divided into three groups: occupationally exposed and rural residents (n = 21), non-occupationally exposed and rural residents (n = 35) and non-occupationally exposed and urban residents (n = 30). Of all endpoints evaluated, plasma concentration of androstenedione (p < 0.001) and glycine-conjugated bile acids presented statistical differences in the three studied groups (p < 0.05). However, our findings concerning oxidative stress and testosterone levels, plus that related to unconjugated and taurine conjugated bile acids, suggested that more studies are necessary to evaluate their potential as biomarkers for triazole exposure, as statistical significance was not attained between the groups. Our human population data contributes to the development of triazole exposure risk assessment with respect to these potential effect biomarkers, in potentially vulnerable groups and individuals.

Relationship between circulating sex steroid hormone concentrations and incidence of total knee and hip arthroplasty due to osteoarthritis in men

Few studies have examined the association between circulating sex steroid concentrations and risk of osteoarthritis (OA) in men with inconsistent results. Our aim was to examine whether concentrations of circulating sex steroid hormones were associated with the incidence of primary knee and hip arthroplasty for OA in a prospective cohort study. Two thousand four hundred and ninety four men from the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study (MCCS) had circulating sex steroid concentrations measured in blood samples drawn at recruitment (1990-1994) and stored in liquid nitrogen. The plasma concentrations of sex hormones, including dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, androstenedione, testosterone, estradiol, androstanediol glucuronide, and sex hormone binding globulin, were measured. The incidence of total knee and hip arthroplasty for OA during 2001-2013 was determined by linking MCCS records to the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry. One hundred and four men had knee and 80 had hip arthroplasty for OA over 10.7 (SD 3.8) years. Higher concentrations of androstenedione were associated with a decreased risk of total knee (hazard ratio (HR) 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.77-0.98) and hip (HR 0.84 95% CI 0.71-1.00) arthroplasty for OA in overweight and obese men. No significant association was observed for the other measured hormones. Low plasma androstenedione concentration is associated with an increased risk of both knee and hip arthroplasty for OA for overweight and obese men. While the findings need to be confirmed in other cohort studies, they suggest that circulating sex steroids may play a role in the pathogenesis of OA in men.

Development and validation of a simple, sensitive enzyme immunoassay for quantification of androstenedione in bull plasma.

As an alternative to radioimmunoassay a simple and highly sensitive enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was developed and validated for androstenedione quantification in plasma of Karan Fries bulls using second antibody coating technique. The wells of the microtitreplate were coated with affinity-purified goat immunoglobulin (antirabbit IgG) that binds the hormone specific antibody. The EIA was performed to analyze androstenedione directly in 40 μl of bull plasma. The androstenedione standards ranged from 0.20 to 200 pg/40 μl /well and the sensitivity of the assay was 5 pg/ml plasma. Serially diluted bull plasma containing high endogenous androstenedione showed good parallelism with bovine androstenedione standard curve. Intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation (CV) were found to be 8 and 9%, respectively. Peripheral plasma androstenedione concentrations determined in young and adult bull samples ranged between 104–990 pg/ml and 184–2040 pg/ml, respectively.

Acid–Base Parameters and Steroid Concentrations in Pre‐Ovulatory Follicles and Plasma of Lactating Dairy Cows with Spontaneous and Synchronized Oestrus or Follicular Cyst

The study aimed to compare the acid-base balance and steroid concentrations between follicular fluids (FF) of pre-ovulatory follicles derived from a spontaneous oestrus (SO), synchronized or induced oestrus (IO) and follicular cysts (CYS) and between FF and blood in dairy cows. Forty-two dairy cows were included in this study. The animals were allocated to three groups: SO (n=23); IO (n=11) using GnRH at day 0 and day 9 and PGF2 α at day 7; and animals with CYS (n=10). The follicular fluids (FF) were aspirated from the cyst/pre-ovulatory follicles (∅≥15mm) after SO and after second GnRH dose in IO by transvaginal ultrasound-guided ovum pick-up technique. Blood samples (BL) were collected in heparinized vacutainer tubes. The oxygen tension (pO2) in FF of IO was higher (p<0.05) than in SO and CYS groups. There were negative correlations (p<0.001, r=-0.89) between FF and blood pO2. The carbon dioxide tension (pCO2) and lactate level in FF of CYS group were higher (p<0.05) than in SO and IO groups. There were negative correlations (p<0.01, r=-0.73) between blood and FF pO2. Oestradiol-17β concentration in pre-ovulatory follicles and plasma of the SO group was higher (p<0.001) than in IO and CYS groups. Progesterone concentration in pre-ovulatory follicles and plasma of the SO and IO groups was lower (p<0.01) than in CYS group. Plasma androstenedione concentration in SO and IO groups was higher (p<0.05) than in CYS group. In conclusion, acid-base parameters, E2 and P4 levels in the follicular fluid of both IO and CYS groups were deviated greatly from the physiological level (disturbances of intrafollicular/intracystic environment), which may affect the quality of both the oocyte and the granulosa cells.

Abstract C114: Androstenedione levels in postmenopausal women with resected early-stage breast cancer are associated with SNPs in CYP11B1 and CYP11B2 identified by a genome-wide association study (GWAS).

Abstract Introduction: Androstenedione is a precursor for estrogen biosynthesis catalyzed by aromatase. Plasma androstenedione concentrations in postmenopausal women with early stage breast cancer display large interindividual variation (Ingle et al., Cancer Res. 70:3278–86, 2010). We performed a GWAS to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with plasma levels of androstenedione in 776 postmenopausal women with resected early stage breast cancer. Methods: Plasma androstenedione concentrations were measured by GC-MS/MS. GWAS was performed using Illumina Human610-Quad BeadChips. The GWAS results were controlled for population stratification (PS) by Eigenstrat analyses. Plasma androstenedione concentrations were associated with genotype by using a quasi-likelihood model with adjustment for PS, BMI, age and other clinical variables associated with androstenedione concentrations (p&amp;lt;0.01). Imputation using HapMap2 data was performed within 200 kb on either side of regions containing SNPs with p&amp;lt;E-05. Results: 563,945 SNPs were analyzed, followed by imputation. The genotyped SNP with the lowest p value, rs4736317 (p=4.61E-06), was on chromosome 8 near the CYP11B1 and CYP11B2 genes. This SNP had a multiplicative effect of 1.128 (95% Cl: 1.07, 1.19) and a MAF of 0.40. After imputation, 20 SNPs with apparent p&amp;lt;E-06 were observed in this same region, with the lowest p value for rs9773022 (p=8.1E-08). We then performed functional genomic studies, and observed that two of the SNPs with low p values (rs4736312, p=1.49E-05 and rs4736350, p=6.34E-06) created apparent Oct-1 transcription factor binding sites (TFBS). Differential nuclear protein binding of Oct-1 to probes for these SNPs was verified with EMS and supershift assays using nuclear extract from A549 and NCI-H295R cells. Treatment of these two cell lines with 10 nM androstenedione led to the disruption of Oct-1 binding with the A (wild type) allele on rs4736312. rs4736312 is located in the 3'-UTR of CYP11B1 15 bp distant from response elements for the progesterone receptor and the glucocorticoid receptor. We also demonstrated that CYP11B1 and CYP11B2 were induced by estradiol in U2OS cell lines that express ER receptor and by androstenedione in H295R cells that express the androgen receptor. Transfection of a reporter gene construct with the rs4736312 SNP sequences into COS-1 and H295R cells suppressed reporter gene activity for the variant SNP sequence as compared to wild type, an observation that may correlate with the higher plasma levels of androstenedione in women (549× 328 vs 410×208 mean×SD, M/ml) with the variant allele. Conclusion: We have identified a series of SNPs in a region of chromosome 8 in and around CYP11B1 and CYP11B2 that are associated with elevated plasma androstenedione concentrations in postmenopausal women with resected early stage breast cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2011 Nov 12-16; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2011;10(11 Suppl):Abstract nr C114.

Racial/Ethnic Differences in Postmenopausal Endogenous Hormones: The Multiethnic Cohort Study

Postmenopausal women with increased estrogens and lowered sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations are at increased risk of breast cancer. In the Multiethnic Cohort Study, the highest incidence rates of postmenopausal breast cancer were observed among Native Hawaiians followed by Japanese Americans, Whites, African Americans, and Latinas. Ethnic differences in endogenous sex hormone profiles may contribute to some of the variation in breast cancer incidence. Plasma concentrations of androstenedione, testosterone, estrone (E(1)), estradiol (E(2)), and SHBG were measured in 739 postmenopausal women from the Multiethnic Cohort Study (240 African Americans, 81 Native Hawaiians, 96 Japanese Americans, 231 Latinas, and 91 Whites). After adjusting for age, known breast cancer risk factors and lifestyle factors, the mean levels of testosterone, estrogen, and SHBG varied across populations (Ps < or = 0.004). Across racial/ethnic groups, Native Hawaiians had the highest mean levels of androstenedione, testosterone, and estrogens and the lowest mean levels of SHBG. Compared with Whites, Native Hawaiians had higher androstenedione (+22%, P = 0.017), total testosterone (+26%, P = 0.013), bioavailable testosterone (+33%, P = 0.002), E(1) (> or =21%; P = 0.009), total E(2) (+26%, P = 0.001), bioavailable E(2) (+31%, P < 0.001), and lower SHBG (-12% P = 0.07) levels. Compared with Whites, Japanese Americans had higher E(2) (+15%, P = 0.036) and bioavailable E(2) (+18%, P = 0.024) levels. African Americans also had higher E(1) (+21%, P = 0.004), E(2) (+20%, P = 0.007), and bioavailable E(2) (+20%, P = 0.015) levels compared with Whites, whereas mean levels in Latinas were similar to those of Whites. Many of the differences in endogenous postmenopausal hormonal milieu across these five racial/ethnic groups are consistent with the known differences in breast cancer incidence across these populations.

Effects on Androstenedione in Male Workers Exposed to Urban Stressors

The aim of this study is to evaluate whether occupational exposure to urban stressors could cause alterations in androstenedione plasma levels in male traffic policemen compared to a control group. After excluding the principal confounding factors, traffic policemen were matched with controls by age, working life, body mass index (BMI), drinking habit, and habitual soy intake in diet. One hundred and ten traffic policemen and 110 controls were included in the study. In male traffic policemen, mean androstenedione values were significantly lower compared to controls. The distribution of androstenedione values in traffic policemen and in controls was significant. Our results suggest that the occupational exposure to chemical urban stressors, interacting with and adding to the psychosocial ones, could alter androstenedione plasma concentrations in traffic policemen compared to a control group. According to our previous research, androstenedione could be used as an early biological marker, valuable for the group to be employed in occupational settings, even before the onset of the endocrine reproductive health diseases.

Preliminary study of ovarian activity in fillies treated with a GnRH vaccine.

To investigate the effects of two doses (200 and 400 mg) of a water-soluble gonadotrophin-releasing hormone vaccine on the ovarian activity of 2-year-old fillies. A controlled vaccination dose rate experiment. Six 2-year-old Australian Stock Horse fillies were randomly allocated to three treatment groups; unvaccinated controls, those receiving 200 mg of the vaccine and those receiving 400 mg of the vaccine. Ovarian activity of the treated fillies was suppressed at the peak of breeding season while that of untreated controls continued normally. The control fillies displayed oestrous activity and behaviour. Suppression of ovarian activity occurred for 25 and 30 weeks in the 200 and 400 mg groups, respectively. These differences were not significant. Ovarian activity ceased 2 to 3 weeks after primary vaccination. Antibody titres were low (330) until after the booster immunisation when they rapidly peaked at 22,000 and 28,000 in the 200 mg and 400 mg groups, respectively. Plasma progesterone concentrations of the treated fillies remained below 3.18 nmol/L while GnRH was suppressed. The vaccine had no significant effect on plasma androstenedione concentrations. Recovery from the effect of the vaccine was associated with development of ovarian follicles, normal oestrous behaviour and ovulation. Three of the four treated fillies and one of the controls conceived during the next breeding season and foaled normally. All the treated fillies conceived and produced normal foals in the following two breeding seasons. Both dose rates suppressed ovarian function and prevented oestrous behaviour. These effects were reversible and the subsequent fertility of the vaccinated fillies was normal.

Role of cortisol in the ACTH-induced suppression of testicular steroidogenesis in guinea pigs.

In order to investigate the role of cortisol in the regulation of testicular function, adult male guinea pigs were challenged with ACTH (20 IU), cortisol (8 or 16 mumol), or with ACTH plus dexamethasone (DEX, 2 mumol). The amounts of cortisol, testosterone, progesterone, and androstenedione present in the plasma or secreted by incubated adrenals or testes were determined by radioimmunoassay. The plasma concentrations of LH were determined using a radioimmunoassay for rat LH. ACTH treatment elevated cortisol plasma concentrations to 999% of control values, whereas it reduced testosterone plasma levels to 43% of control values. ACTH treatment did not affect LH plasma levels. A significant negative correlation was found in ACTH-treated animals, when the cortisol and testosterone plasma concentrations in serially taken blood samples (30-240 min after treatment) were compared (rs = -0.90 and rs = -0.99, P < 0.05). In addition to cortisol, ACTH raised progesterone and androstenedione plasma concentrations. If animals were treated with 2 mumol DEX + ACTH, the plasma levels of cortisol and androstenedione but not of progesterone, testosterone or LH were changed. ACTH stimulated the in vitro secretion of cortisol, progesterone and androstenedione by the adrenals but reduced the in vitro release of androstenedione and testosterone by the testes. In summary, treatment of guinea pigs resulted in elevated cortisol and in reduced testosterone plasma concentrations. The mechanism of the cortisol-induced inhibition of testicular function was independent of the LH plasma concentrations. The in vitro experiments indicate that cortisol directly interacts with the Leydig cells, presumably by inhibiting the activity of the testicular 17 alpha-hydroxylase and/or C17,20-lyase. Taking into account the results of comparable investigations in the rat, the inhibition of the testicular 17 alpha-hydroxylase and/or C17,20-lyase takes place if the intracellular cortisol exceeds the capacity of the 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase to inactivate it.

Local increase of steroid hormone concentrations in blood supplying the uterus and oviduct in anaesthetized and conscious gilts

Sexually mature cycling gilts ( n = 5) with two recorded oestrous cycles were anaesthetized on Day 10 of the oestrous cycle. On both sides of the uterus, catheters were inserted into branches of the uterine artery proximal to the ovary. The tip of each catheter was placed close to, but above anastomoses with ovarian artery branches. This allowed collection of uterine arterial blood mixed with ovarian arterial blood supplying the uterus and oviduct. A third catheter was placed in the jugular vein. Catheters were exteriorized subcutaneously to the backs of the animals for blood sample collection. Simultaneous blood samples were collected as follows: (a) in anaesthetized animals, every 5 min for 1 h immediately after catheters were inserted during surgery, and every 10 min for 2 h, when the surgery was completed; (b) from conscious animals on Day 2 after surgery, every 10 min for 2 h in the morning and every 10 min for 2 h in the afternoon. Blood plasma samples were assayed for progesterone and androstenedione by RIA method. Mean values (±SEM) for progesterone measured in samples collected from branches of the uterine arteries and from the jugular vein in anaesthetized animals were 34 ± 1.25 ng ml −1 and 26 ± 1.31 ng ml −1 of plasma, respectively. In conscious animals the measurements showed 33 ± 0.90 ng ml −1 and 24 ± 0.81 ng ml −1 of plasma, respectively. Plasma concentration of androstenedione in branches of the uterine arteries and from the jugular vein in anaesthetized and conscious animals were 107 ± 5.26 pg ml −1 and 72 ± 5.50 pg ml −1, and 78 ± 4.54 pg ml −1 and 57 ± 3.77 pg ml −1, respectively. It was concluded that counter-current transfer of steroid hormones in ovarian pedicle vasculature on Days 10–11 of the oestrous cycle significantly elevates ( P < 0.0001) the local concentration of steroid hormones in arterial blood supplying the uterus and oviduct (35% for progesterone and 46% for androstenedione).

Role of gonadal hormones in the regulation of the seasonal antler cycle in female reindeer, Rangifer tarandus.

The hormonal control of the seasonal antler cycle was investigated over 4 years in four adult female Norwegian reindeer, Rangifer tarandus, maintained in captivity at Tromsø, Norway (69 degrees N). The antlers were fully redeveloped in August, cleaned of velvet in September, and were retained in hard antler throughout the winter before being cast in March or April. The cleaning of the antlers occurred at the seasonal onset of ovarian activity and was associated with an increase in the blood plasma concentrations of testosterone, androstenedione, oestradiol and progesterone. Ovariectomy in October resulted in premature casting of the hard antlers in that year. This was paralleled with a decrease in the plasma concentrations of oestradiol and progesterone, but not of testosterone and androstenedione. Antlers were redeveloped, cleaned of velvet and cast each year in the ovariectomized females, but the antler cycle was abnormal since the cleaning of the antlers began 1-3 months later than in intact females and was often incomplete, and the casting surface of the old antler was deformed. The hardening of the antlers in the ovariectomized animals in autumn was correlated with seasonal increases in the plasma concentrations of androstenedione, but not in the concentrations of other steroid hormones; provocation tests using GnRH and arginine vasopressin (AVP) illustrated that the adrenal gland was a likely source of androgens. The initiation of antler growth in spring always followed the seasonal increase in the secretion of prolactin. The overall conclusion is that a gonadal steroid hormone, possibly oestradiol, normally acts to induce and maintain the hard antler state in female reindeer. This hormonal mechanism acts to synchronize the antler cycle to the seasonal reproductive cycle with the hard antlers functioning as weapons in intrasexual competition in winter.

The contribution of body composition, substrates, and hormones to the variability in energy expenditure and substrate utilization in premenopausal women.

Twenty-four-hour energy expenditure and substrate use were measured by indirect calorimetry in respiration chambers on a fixed physical program and related to body composition and plasma concentrations of various substrates and thermogenic hormones. Fifty premenopausal women with a wide range of body weight were examined in the follicular menstrual phase under weight stable conditions. Most of the variance in the sleeping energy expenditure (82%) was accounted for by two covariates, lean body mass (75%, P less than 0.0001), and fat mass (7%, P less than 0.0001). An additional 6% of the variance in sleeping energy expenditure was accounted for by plasma androstenedione concentration (4%, P = 0.0005) and by free T3 index (2%, P = 0.03). Thus physiological variation among individuals in plasma androstenedione concentration may result in a difference in energy expenditure of 908 kJ/day and the corresponding variation in free T3 index may result in a difference between individuals of 594 kJ/day. Fifty four percent of the variation in carbohydrate oxidation rates was accounted for by 24-h energy balance, and by plasma concentrations of insulin, nonesterified fatty acids, and estradiol. Waist circumference, plasma nonesterified fatty acids, and estradiol concentrations explained 49% of the variance in 24-h lipid oxidation. An obese subgroup of women (n = 27) had significantly higher 24-h energy expenditure, lipid, and carbohydrate oxidation rates than an age-matched normal weight group (n = 16), but the entire group difference in energy expenditure was explained by differences in body composition. We conclude that physiological variations in plasma androstenedione and T3 concentrations contribute to the interindividual variance in energy expenditure of women, and their role is not different in obese women. A positive energy balance and increased insulin action may be mediators of the higher carbohydrate oxidation in obesity, whereas an increased substrate availability seems to bring about the increased lipid oxidation.

Plasma profiles of fourteen ovarian steroids before, during and after ovulation in African catfish,Clarias gariepinus, determined by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry

The plasma concentrations of fourteen ovarian steroids were measured in postvitellogenic African catfish,Clarias gariepinus, which had been injected with pimozide and LHRHa. Postvitellogenesis persisted for at least four hours after pimozide and LHRHa administration. During this stage a limited rise in the plasma gonadotropin (GTH) level was accompanied by an increase in the testosterone concentration. The estradiol level was high and remained high except for a passing drop during the stage of germinal vesicle migration. At the stage of germinal vesicle migration a strong increase in the plasma GTH level coincided with a maximum in the testosterone concentration and a concomitant increase in the levels of 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one and of five 5β-reduced pregnanes. During germinal vesicle breakdown the GTH concentration remained high, the plasma level of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone tended to increase, and the levels of 5β-pregnane-3α, 17α-diol-20-one, 5β-pregnane-3α,17α,20β-triol and 5β-pregnane-3α,17α,20α-triol reached a maximum. At pre-ovulation the GTH concentration did not change, and peak levels were reached of 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one and 5β-pregnane-3α,6α,17α-triol-20-one. Shortly after ovulation the GTH concentration slightly decreased together with a sharp decline in the concentrations of 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one and the 5β-reduced steroids, with the exception of 5β-pregnane-3α,17α,20α-triol, 5β-pregnane-3α,6α,17α,20β-tetrol and 5β-dihydrotestosterone. The plasma concentrations of androstenedione, estrone, etiocholanolone and 5β-androstane-3α,17β-diol showed marginal fluctuations during oocyte maturation and ovulation. Apart from 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, the 5β-reduced pregnanes might be candidates for the function of oocyte maturation inducing hormone inC. gariepinus.

Androstenedione rhythms in saliva in congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Serial samples of saliva were collected at home by 17 patients being treated for congenital adrenal hyperplasia to determine the circadian rhythm of androstenedione as an index of therapeutic control. Single samples of blood for measurement of plasma testosterone, 170H-progesterone, and androstenedione concentrations were collected from these and a further seven patients for comparison. Plasma androstenedione concentrations showed a close correlation with plasma concentrations of 170H-progesterone and testosterone. There was a strong correlation between the salivary androstenedione profiles and plasma testosterone concentrations in pubertal girls. Concentrations of androstenedione in saliva decreased during the day but remained raised at each sampling time in relation to plasma testosterone concentrations. Salivary androstenedione profiles are shown as nomograms to distinguish the degree of therapeutic control. The concentration of androstenedione, measured in plasma or saliva, is an alternative marker to monitor control of treatment in congenital adrenal hyperplasia. The measurement in saliva is a useful index of androgen production when blood sampling is difficult.

Androstenedione production by malignant epithelial ovarian tumors

The concentration of plasma androstenedione in women with malignant epithelial ovarian tumors is investigated. Fifty-one postmenopausal and/or oophorectomized women with no other malignant or endocrine disease are included in the study. All FIGO stages and the histologic types I C, II C, III C, and IV are represented. The tumor volumes were evaluated once a month using bimanual rectovaginal palpation under anesthesia. Four blood samples were drawn for androstenedione radioimmunoassay at monthly intervals. The plasma levels were compared with those of a control group of postmenopausal women and a control group of fertile women in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. The results show a relationship between tumor volume and plasma androstenedione level. Histologic type and FIGO stage seem to be of subordinate importance and secondary to tumor volume. During chemotherapy the plasma concentration of androstenedione decreased parallel to the reduction in tumor volume. The initial plasma androstenedione concentration seems to have prognostic importance.

Effects of active immunization against androstenedione on ovulation rate and fecundity in Galway and Finnish landrace sheep

Galway and Finnish Landrace ewes were immunized with an androstenedione protein conjugate (Fecundin, trademark of Glaxo Group Ltd.) on two occasions 30 days apart at the beginning of the breeding season. All sheep were treated with intravaginal progestagen sponges to synchronize cycles and exposed to rams for 6 weeks. The antibody titre to androstenedione, plasma androstenedione concentrations, display of oestrus, ovulation rate and litter size were determined. The results were compared with those for non-immunized animals and, in the case of the Galway breed, with ewes given 750 i.u. PMSG at the time of sponge removal. Over 98% of all ewes were mated within 30 days of sponge removal, but immunized ewes were delayed in their expression of oestrous cycles after withdrawal of progestagen treatment. The proportion of ewes mated that ultimately lambed was similar for all treatments, although during the first 5 days after sponge removal the conception rate was lower in immunized ewes. The mean ovulation rates for control, immunized and PMSG-treated Galway ewes were 1.75, 2.52 and 2.05, respectively; the corresponding values for litter size at birth were 1.48, 1.89 and 1.53, respectively. Comparison of the effects of immunization in the Galway and Finnish Landrace breeds indicated that ovulation rate increased in response to treatment in both breeds. Although litter size also increased in the Galway there was no evidence for a similar effect in the Finnish Landrace breed. Plasma concentrations of androstenedione were significantly higher following immunization in Galway than in Finnish Landrace ewes. There was an association between high antibody titres to androstenedione and the reduction in behavioural oestrus and conception rate immediately after sponge removal. The implication of this effect in sheep management is to initiate the immunization earlier in the season so that the introduction of the ram can take place 3–4 weeks after the booster injection when as these data have shown, the fertility of the ewes is similar to untreated ewes but the fecundity is higher.

Plasma progesterone and androstenedione in relation to changes in tumor volume and recurrence in women with ovarian carcinoma.

The concentrations of plasma progesterone and androstenedione were investigated in 13 postmenopausal women with malignant ovarian tumors who showed no signs of other malignant or endocrine disease. FIGO stages III and IV were represented and histological types were mainly Ic and V. Tumor volumes were generally evaluated once a month using bimanual rectovaginal palpation under anesthesia. Blood samples were drawn for progesterone and androstenedione radioimmunoassay at every admittance to hospital. In 12 of the 13 patients the plasma levels of progesterone and in 10 the plasma levels of androstenedione decreased in parallel with the reduction in tumor volume and increased again when recurrence occurred. The plasma levels at diagnosis of recurrence of tumor and the levels when the largest tumor volume was demonstrated were compared to the preceding values and found to be significantly higher. In order to evaluate if progesterone or androstenedione could predict recurrence of tumor, plasma levels at certain intervals before recurrence were compared to the preceding value. Significant rise was considered to have occurred when plasma concentration had risen to twice the coefficient of variation of the assay above the previous value and continued to rise. Plasma progesterone indicated recurrence of tumor in 8 cases at least 1 month before recurrence was palpable. Plasma concentration of androstenedione was found to be useful in predicting recurrence in 5 cases 1 month or more before recurrence was palpable. A group of postmenopausal women with disseminated malignant disease of nongenital type was compared to the control groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Androstenedione, testosterone, and estradiol concentrations in fetal and maternal plasma in late pregnancy in the sheep.

Fetal and maternal plasma concentrations of androstenedione, testosterone, and estradiol were measured in chronically catheterized pregnant sheep during late gestation, spontaneous term delivery, and premature delivery induced by the infusion of low doses of synthetic ACTH-(1-24) (ACTH) to the fetus at 120-130 days gestation. RIAs employing two different antisera directed at different sites of each molecule were used in combination with Celite column chromatography to ensure the specificity of the hormone measurements. Fetal plasma concentrations of all three hormones were greater than the respective maternal concentration at all periods investigated, except immediately before ACTH-induced delivery when fetal testosterone and estradiol concentrations were lower. These observations further support the hypothesis that delivery in the sheep is associated with the induction of placental 17 alpha-hydroxylase and 17,20-lyase by the increased conversion of progesterone to estrogens. The higher values of androstenedione than of testosterone also support the view that estrone is produced in larger quantities than estradiol and that estrone and estrone sulfate are good endocrine markers of the progress of the endocrine changes occurring immediately before parturition in the sheep.

Plasma testosterone and androstenedione in insulin dependent patients at time of diagnosis and during the first year of insulin treatment

Ten male patients and 6 female patients with newly diagnosed insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and significant ketosis were studied before and during the first year of insulin treatment. At onset plasma concentrations of testosterone and androstenedione were significantly (P less than 0.02) decreased in female patients when compared to healthy sex- and age-matched controls. Plasma concentrations of testosterone and androstenedione increased significantly (P less than 0.001 and P less than 0.05) in both sexes during insulin therapy. Plasma concentrations of testosterone were not significantly different from controls in both sexes after 4 days of insulin treatment and remained so during the first year of insulin treatment. Plasma concentrations of androstendeione were not significantly different from controls in both sexes after 4 days of insulin treatment, but increased to levels significantly raised in both males (P less than 0.001) and females (P less than 0.05) after 7 days and during the first year of insulin treatment.