Biomedical subjects

D R Mishell

Publications and source records attributed to D R Mishell.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMed1984

The effect of serum fractions on embryo growth.

In order to determine optimal culture conditions for embryos, human fetal cord serum (HCS) small- and large-molecular-weight fractions of HCS, and human serum albumin were employed as media supplements. In the first phase, embryos were cultured with the various protein supplements for 96 hours and observed morphologically every 24 hours. In the second phase, embryos were cultured with the various protein supplements and 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine for 29 hours. Blastomere number, sister chromatid exchange (SCE), micronuclei, and chromosomal aberrations were observed. Morphologically, any protein supplement was better than no media supplement. Whole HCS and large-molecular-weight fraction provided the best conditions for embryo growth. Blastomere number was increased with whole serum when compared with no supplementation, small-molecular-weight fraction, or human serum albumin. In the analysis of SCE, all supplements had a lower SCE number than no serum supplement, and HCS supplement demonstrated a significantly lower SCE number than the other supplements. No difference in micronuclei or chromosomal aberration was observed in any of the supplements. In conclusion, whole HCS provides optimal conditions for culturing embryos, compared with the various serum fractions, and the beneficial components are primarily found in the large-molecular-weight fraction.

Animals↗

PubMed1983

A modified technique of human in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.

Forty-seven ovulatory women were treated with a modified technique of human in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. All patients received clomiphene citrate, 150 mg per day, and follicle development was monitored by real-time ovarian ultrasound and serum estradiol measurement. In the 45 patients who underwent laparoscopy, eight patients were found to have a poor response to clomiphene citrate and were dropped from the treatment cycle. Four additional patients had an endogenous luteinizing hormone increase and did not undergo laparoscopy. Nine patients were found to have inaccessible ovaries at the time of laparoscopy. In patients with accessible ovaries, oocytes were recovered in all cases. Embryo transfers were performed in 72% of patients, and 19% of these transfers resulted in pregnancy. This technique of ovulation monitoring appears to increase oocyte recovery and fertilization rate and subsequent implantation success.

Adult↗

PubMed1983

Clinical applications of techniques used in human in vitro fertilization research.

Human in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer not only provides an opportunity for pregnancy in women who were previously considered to be sterile, but also provides a unique method by means of which basic reproductive physiology can be investigated. From September, 1981, to September, 1982, 71 women with normal cycles who elected to attempt in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer underwent timed laparoscopy for recovery of oocytes. Oocytes were recovered in 60 patients, with embryo transfer resulting in 50 patients, and normal implantation occurred in nine patients. There was a significant correlation between ultrasound observation of follicle size and serum estradiol levels, thus making ultrasound monitoring of follicular growth during stimulation with clomiphene citrate or human menopausal gonadotropin in anovulatory women clinically useful. The technique of sperm washing employed for in vitro fertilization has now been used with good results for intrauterine insemination in patients with infertility due to a cervical factor or oligospermia. Therefore, the techniques used in human in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer are now clinically applicable for couples with infertility due to causes other than tubal disease.

Adult↗

PubMed1983

Effects of two low-dose oral contraceptives on serum lipids and lipoproteins: differential changes in high-density lipoprotein subclasses.

Oral contraceptives containing DL-norgestrel or norethindrone with ethinyl estradiol were administered by random assignment to 21 menstruating women, matched for anthropometric measurements, age, diet, alcohol consumption, smoking, and exercise habits. Pretreatment and 7-week treatment blood samples were obtained and assayed for serum cholesterol, triglyceride high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and total high-density lipoprotein (HDL), HDL2a, HDL2b, and HDL3 subclasses by analytic ultracentrifugation. Subjects using the norethindrone oral contraceptive had a significant increase in HDL-C: baseline, 46 mg/dl; 7 weeks, 51 mg/dl. Values for the subjects using the norgestrel oral contraceptive were not significantly changed: 46 and 44 mg/dl, respectively. Users of the norethindrone oral contraceptive had significant elevations of total HDL and HDL3, while norgestrel oral contraceptive users demonstrated no significant changes. HDL2b increased with the norethindrone oral contraceptive and declined with the norgestrel oral contraceptive. The changes in HDL2b from baseline to treatment were not significant (p greater than 0.05), but the change with the norethindrone oral contraceptive did differ significantly from that with the norgestrel oral contraceptive (p less than 0.02). These changes may indicate oral contraceptive-induced alterations in HDL structure and metabolism that could be related to the risk of development of atherosclerosis.

Adult↗

PubMed1983

Psychological stress and increases in urinary norepinephrine metabolites, platelet serotonin, and adrenal androgens in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Twenty-three women with polycystic ovary syndrome, 10 women with hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction, and 50 control subjects were studied in an attempt to investigate the prevalence of psychological stress and its possible relationship to various hormonal parameters. Norepinephrine (NE) excretion, as reflected by urinary 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), and urinary 3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid (VMA), platelet serotonin, plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), urinary free cortisol, serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), androstenedione (Adione), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), its sulfate (DHEA-S), delta 5-androstenediol (delta 5-Adiol), testosterone (T), and unbound estradiol (E2) were measured. In addition, psychological stress was assessed by means of questionnaires modified from the Schedule of Recent Experiences, in which a Life Events Inventory was scored between 1 and 100. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome had significantly elevated levels of serum LH, LH:FSH ratios, unbound E2, Adione, DHEA, delta 5-Adiol, T, and DHEA-S (p less than 0.01). The number of Major Life Events (events scored on the questionnaire above 60) was significantly higher in women with polycystic ovary syndrome than in control women and women with hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction (p less than 0.05). Urinary MHPG and platelet serotonin levels were also significantly higher in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (p less than 0.05), whereas VMA was normal. Levels of plasma ACTH and urinary free cortisol were similar in all groups. There was a significant positive correlation between MHPG and DHEA-S, MHPG and LH, and LH and T levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and those with hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction (p less than 0.01). VMA also correlated with DHEA-S (p less than 0.05). In conclusion, psychological stress may be more prevalent in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and may be associated with elevated levels of MHPG and platelet serotonin. Because we have found that MHPG, but not VMA, correlated with LH, and because both MHPG and VMA correlated with DHEA-S, we hypothesize here that psychological stress and neurotransmitter levels may be linked to some of the hormonal derangements, including inappropriate gonadotropin secretion and elevated adrenal androgen levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1983

Methods to determine success of attempts to terminate early gestation pregnancies with prostaglandin vaginal suppositories.

One-hundred subjects received vaginal suppositories containing prostaglandin analogues in order to terminate their pregnancies of 49 days gestation or less. This non-surgical method was successful in 61 subjects, failed in 35 subjects and four subjects were lost to follow-up. Success of prostaglandin therapy cannot be predicted using pretreatment clinical parameters, pretreatment serum beta-hCG levels, or the passage of tissue from the vagina based upon history obtained from the subject. The passage of tissue histologically identified as of fetal origin is a definitive way to determine the success of pregnancy termination but the passage of tissue obtained by history is not. Of the 61 subjects in whom the prostaglandin suppositories were a success, 56 (92%) had a beta-hCG level day 7 +/- 2 following treatment which was 15% or less than the pretreatment value and 5 had beta-hCG levels which were more than 15% of the pretreatment value. All subjects with beta-hCG levels 5 to 9 days after the abortion that were less than 15% of the pretreatment concentrations had a successful termination. Of 35 subjects in whom the prostaglandin suppositories were unsuccessful, 26 had a beta-hCC level 7 +/- 2 days following treatment which was greater than the pretreatment level and 9 had beta-hCG levels less than the pretreatment value. The results of this study indicate that when prostaglandin vaginal suppositories are used to terminate early gestations, if there is no decline in beta-hCG levels 7 +/- 2 days following treatment, the pregnancy should be terminated by another method.

Abortion, Induced↗

PubMed1983

Metabolic parameters and steroid levels in postmenopausal women receiving lower doses of natural estrogen replacement.

This study was carried out to determine whether some of the lowest doses of natural estrogens currently prescribed for postmenopausal women result in significant changes in plasma lipids, urinary calcium, urinary free cortisol, or level of androgens. Twenty-four postmenopausal women were studied and the estrogens ingested were either conjugated estrogens (0.3 or 0.6 mg), piperazine estrone sulfate (0.6 or 1.2 mg), or micronized estradiol (1 mg). Plasma lipids were unaltered, with the exception of a decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in women receiving conjugated estrogens, 0.625 mg, and micronized estradiol. The fasting calcium: creatinine ratio, which was significantly higher than that of premenopausal women, decreased significantly after treatment with all the prescribed doses. There was no correlation between the initial calcium: creatinine ratio and urinary free cortisol or androgen levels. Urinary free cortisol was in the premenopausal range and did not change with treatment; levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and testosterone were significantly lower than premenopausal levels but did not change with treatment. In conclusion, these natural estrogens have no effect on lipids, urinary free cortisol, and androgen levels, but they appear to reduce the urinary loss of calcium in the fasting state.

Androgens↗

PubMed1982

Comparison of pharmacodynamic properties of various estrogen formulations.

A group of 23 healthy postmenopausal women received one or more 2-week courses of daily administration of the following estrogen preparations: piperazine estrone sulfate (Ogen), 0.3, 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, and 5.0 mg; micronized estradiol (Estrace), 1, 2, and 10 mg; conjugated estrogens (Premarin), 0.3, 0.625, 1.25, and 2.5 mg; ethinyl estradiol (Estinyl), 10 and 20 micrograms; and diethylstilbestrol, 0.1 and 0.5 mg. Each dosage of each formulation was ingested by three women. In those women who received more than one dosage, each course was separated by a drug-free interval of at least 4 weeks. Pretreatment and posttreatment levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), corticosteroid-binding globulin-binding capacity, sex hormone-binding globulin-binding capacity, angiotensinogen, estrone, and estradiol were determined. The relative potency of these five estrogen formulations was determined by parallel line analysis for each of these responses, except LH. On a weight basis, piperazine estrone sulfate and micronized estradiol were equipotent for all responses. Conjugated estrogens suppressed FSH in a fashion equipotent to that of the other nonsynthetic estrogens; however, for all three hepatic parameters, the response was exaggerated twofold to threefold. The synthetic estrogens, diethylstilbestrol and ethinyl estradiol, were relatively more potent on a weight basis for every response and produced the most marked response (fourfold to eighteenfold in excess of their FSH suppression) for the hepatic parameters.

Angiotensinogen↗

PubMed1982

Correlation of ultrasonic measurement of ovarian follicle size and serum estradiol levels in ovulatory patients following clomiphene citrate for in vitro fertilization.

Ovarian follicle development was investigated in 38 normally cycling women who received clomiphene citrate, 150 mg per day for 5 days, to maximize follicular development. Ultrasonic determination of follicle growth was performed on a daily basis with a real-time sector scanner and correlated with daily concentrations of estradiol (E2) in the peripheral serum as measured by rapid radioimmunoassay. Human Chorionic gonadotropin was given to induce ovulation, and the day of injection was considered day 0. Mean concentrations of E2 reached a maximum of 1,150 +/- 65 pg/ml on day 0. Mean diameter of the dominant follicle increased to 22.1 +/- 0.4 on day 0. When peripheral concentrations of E2 were correlated with diameter and total follicular volume it was found that plasma E2 levels varied, depending on the number of follicles seen on ultrasound examination, with a mean E2 value of 459 +/- 18.9 pg/ml per follicle per day. Multiple growth of follicles occur with artificial induction of ovulation; therefore, the use of ultrasound is an important parameter to assess follicular maturation and the timing of ovulation more precisely.

Adult↗

PubMed1982

Changes in unbound sex steroids and sex hormone binding globulin--binding capacity during oral and vaginal progestogen administration.

Four groups of five cycling women each received either a contraceptive vaginal ring containing a combination of either levonorgestrel or norethindrone with estradiol or oral contraceptives containing a combination of either dl-norgestrel or norethindrone with ethinyl estradiol. Pretreatment as well as 2- and 7-week treatment serum samples were assayed for sex hormone binding globulin-binding capacity (SHBG-BC), estradiol, non-SHBG-bound estradiol, testosterone, and non-SHBG-bound testosterone, d-norgestrel, non-SHBG-bound d-norgestrel, and norethindrone. SHBG-BC was significantly increased in the norethindrone oral contraceptive group, unchanged in the norgestrel oral contraceptive group, and significantly reduced in both contraceptive vaginal ring groups. These findings indicate that the positive effect of oral ethinyl estradiol on SHBG-BC offsets the suppressive effects of d-norgestrel on SHBG-BC, while the estradiol in the d-norgestrel or norethindrone contraceptive vaginal rings is insufficient to alter the suppressive effect of d-norgestrel or norethindrone on SHBG-BC. In contrast, the ethinyl estradiol in the norethindrone oral contraceptive overcame the suppressive effect of norethindrone on SHBG-BC, resulting in a significantly increased SHBG-BC level. Although total circulating estradiol was significantly decreased in the contraceptive vaginal ring groups, the percentage of unbound serum estradiol was significantly increased in both contraceptive vaginal ring groups and significantly reduced in the norethindrone oral contraceptive group. Although total circulating testosterone was significantly reduced only in the norgestrel oral contraceptive group, the percentage and mass of unbound testosterone were significantly decreased in the norethindrone oral contraceptive group, while the percentage of unbound testosterone was significantly reduced in the norgestrel oral contraceptive group and significantly increased in the norethindrone contraceptive vaginal ring group. As levels of unbound (biologically active) steroid differ markedly from levels of total steroid, it is essential to measure levels of non-SHBG-bound estradiol and testosterone in order to determine effects of steroidal contraceptives on physiologically active circulating endogenous steroids.

Adult↗

PubMed1982

Copper intrauterine contraceptive device event rates following insertion 4 to 8 weeks post partum.

There is a consensus in the literature that intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs) should not be inserted within 8 weeks post partum because of reported greater rates of pregnancy, expulsion, and perforation. This greater incidence of event rates was observed in certain clinics that used large plastic IUDs, mainly the loops. In an effort to determine whether the interval from delivery to insertion of a copper-bearing IUD caused altered event rates, an analysis of studies of parous women who were using five different copper-bearing IUDs was undertaken. During the time of these studies, 411 women had an IUD inserted between 4 and 8 weeks post partum, whereas 1,197 women had the IUD inserted more than 8 weeks after a term delivery. At the end of 1 and 2 years of use, there were 4,164 and 6,816 woman months of experience, respectively, in the women with postpartum insertion, and 11,647 and 19,733 woman months of experience with insertion more than 8 weeks post partum. There were no uterine perforations in this experience, and there were no significant differences in the termination rates of any event between the two groups. This retrospective analysis indicates that copper IUDs can be inserted at the time of the routine postpartum examination without concern that the rate of accidental pregnancy, expulsion, or removal for bleeding and/or pain will be increased in comparison with a later insertion.

Female↗

PubMed1982

Noncontraceptive health benefits of oral steroidal contraceptives.

Prospective and retrospective epidemiologic studies involving oral contraceptives have been reviewed to determine the existence and extent of their benefits other than prevention of pregnancy. There is less menstrual blood loss, which reduces the risk of iron deficiency anemia by about 50%. The incidence of menorrhagia, irregular menses, and intermenstrual bleeding is also significantly reduced in users of oral contraceptives. Studies have shown an approximate 50% reduction in risk of endometrial cancer in oral contraceptive users, as well as a significant reduction in various types of benign breast disease. Because oral contraceptives inhibit ovulation, functional ovarian cysts are nearly eliminated, and the incidence of dysmenorrhea and premenstrual tension is significantly reduced. Oral contraceptives also protect women from developing ovarian carcinoma, rheumatoid arthritis, and salpingitis. From this review we conclude that the benefits of oral contraceptives in young healthy women for far outweight their more widely publicized, infrequent risks.

Adult↗

PubMed1982

The effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone on ovarian estradiol secretion.

The present study was undertaken to determine if more than one dose of GnRh is necessary to induce luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion that is sufficient to cause a significant increase in circulating estradiol (E2) levels. Thirty-four women were studied. Of these, eight control women were studied in the early follicular phase (baseline E2, 48 +/- 4.5 pg/ml); eight patients had secondary amenorrhea caused by hypothalamic dysfunction (baseline E2, 52.0 +/- pg/ml), seven had secondary amenorrhea caused by hypothalamic pituitary failure (baseline E2, 21 +/- 2.5 pg/ml), and 11 women had amenorrhea, galactorrhea, and hyperprolactinemia (baseline E2, 16.5 +/- 3 pg/ml and baseline prolactin, 443 +/- 98 ng/ml). An initial intravenous bolus of 150 microgram of gonadotropin-releasing hormone was followed 2 hours later by a smaller dose of 50 microgram. Thirty minutes following the first and second doses of GnRH, plasma LH and FSH increased significantly in all subjects. The initial increase of LH and FSH did not result in an increase in the plasmma E2 levels in any of the subjects. However, following the second gonadotropin peak, a significant increase in plasma E2 values was observed at 4 hours in all subjects (P less than 0.01). It can be concluded that (1) GnRH can be used to induce ovarian stimulation in normal women as well as in amenorrheic patients with low or normal baseline E2 levels as long as a sequential increase in LH and FSH can be elicited and (2) hyperprolactinemia does not interfere with ovarian E2 synthesis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1982

The effects of estrogen on adrenal androgens in oophorectomized women.

The serum levels of adrenal androgens (aa) are lower in oophorectomized (OO) than in ovulating (OV) women. This study was carried out in an effort to further investigate these findings and to study the effects of administration of estrogen on the levels of aa in OO women. Ten OO and seven OV women participated in this study in which aa were measured basally and after stimulation with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), both before and 4 weeks after conjugated estrogens (CE). Seven women received 0.625 mg of CE, and five received 2.5 mg of CE. Compared to OV women, OO women had significantly lower levels of androstenedione (Adione), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate (DHEA-S), testosterone (T), delta 5-androstenediol (Adiol), and 17 beta-estradiol (E2) (p less than 0.01). In response to ACTH, OO women had smaller responses to Adione (p less than 0.05), DHEA (p less than 0.005), DHEA-S (p less than 0.01), 17-OH progesterone (17 Prog) (p less than 0.01), and 17-OH pregnenolone (17 Preg) (p less than 0.1). Furthermore, after ACTH, the ratio of 17 Prog/Adione was significantly higher in OO women (p less than 0.01), thus suggesting reduced 17,20-demolase (17,20D?) activity. Similarly, OO women had higher ratios of 127 Preg/17 Prog (p less than 0.1), DHEA/Adione (p less than 0.01), and Adiol/T (p less than 0.01), thereby suggesting reduced 3 beta ol dehydrogenase-isomerase (3 beta ol) activity. In response to CE, there was a dose-related increase in aa and cortisol. After 2.5 mg of CE, aa were significantly higher and similar to those levels in OV women. despite the known increases in sex hormone binding globulin-finding capacity and transcortin after estrogen, unbound T increased slightly, as did urinary free cortisol in women treated with 2.5 mg of CE. After treatment with estrogen, there was a dose-related change in the ACTH-stimulated steroid ratios that indicated and increase in 17,20D and 2 beta ol activities. In women who were gien 2.5 mg of CE, these enzyme activities were similar to those in OV women.

Adrenal Glands↗

PubMed1982

Termination of early gestation with 9-deoxo-16,16-dimethyl-9-methylene prostaglandin E2.

Vaginal suppositories containing 9-deoxo-16,16-dimethyl-9-methylene prostaglandin E2 were administered to 40 subjects in an attempt to induce an early abortion. All subjects were 49 days or less from their last menstrual period. Ten subjects (Group A) received the 75-mg suppository followed in 6 hours by a 30-mg suppository, ten subjects (Group B) received the 30-mg suppository followed in 2 hours by the 75-mg suppository and twenty subjects (Group C) received a 30-mg suppository followed in 3 hours by a second 30-mg suppository and in three more hours, at the discretion of the principal investigator, they could receive a third 30-mg suppository. Twenty-seven subjects (68%) had a successful termination of their pregnancy using the multiple vaginal prostaglandin suppository regimens. Seven subjects from Group A, 6 subjects from Group B, and 14 subjects from Group C successfully aborted. One subject in Group B and one subject in Group C were lost to follow-up and the remaining 11 subjects (28%) failed to abort. Twenty-six subjects reported side effects which included nausea, emesis, diarrhea, and uterine cramping requiring analgesia. Thirty-four subjects experienced hyperpyrexia of 99.6 degrees or greater and 12 subjects had their body temperature reach 101 degrees or higher. The use of vaginal suppositories containing 9-deoxo-16,16-dimethyl-9-methylene prostaglandin E2 did not significantly increase the overall abortifacient efficacy of this method from the 60% rate we previously observed with (15S)-15-methyl-prostaglandin F2 alpha methyl ester suppositories.

16,16-Dimethylprostaglandin E2↗

PubMed1982

A decade's experience with an individualized clomiphene treatment regimen including its effect on the postcoital test.

During a 10-year period, 428 women received clomiphene citrate according to a graduated therapeutic regimen in which the dose of clomiphene and the laboratory studies were individualized according to each patient's history, examination and response. Of the 428 patients, 85.3% ovulated and 42.8% conceived. The great majority of those who conceived did so during the first three ovulatory cycles. There was no evidence that clomiphene therapy was associated with the induction of another cause of infertility. Overall, 88.2% of those with no other causes for infertility who ovulated also conceived. However, only 7.8% of those who had one or more factors in addition to anovulation became pregnant. There was no evidence that clomiphene adversely affected the postcoital test, as only 15% of the patients had poor cervical mucus. The low rate of complications of this treatment, 5.1% cyst formation as well as the 14% abortion rate and the 2.6% congenital anomaly rate and the excellent gestational outcome in those who conceived support the use of this treatment regimen.

17-Ketosteroids↗

PubMed1982

An extended regimen of clomiphene citrate in women unresponsive to standard therapy.

An extended regimen of clomiphene consisting of 250 mg of clomiphene for 8 days followed by the administration of 10,000 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) 6 days later was administered to 13 oligomenorrheic women who had previously failed to ovulate when treated with 250 mg of clomiphene for 5 days and hCG. Eight of these 13 women ovulated. Their postovulatory mean progesterone (P) level 7 days after hCG was 16 +/- 2 ng/ml. Three pregnancies occurred during 25 treatment cycles. Posttreatment estrogen levels were higher when women were treated for 8 days than for 5 days. Women ovulating after 8 days of treatment had increased concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T) prior to hCG administration and higher pretreatment levels of estrogen and T, compared with women who did not ovulate. Changes in the timing of hCG administration may induce ovulation in some women who fail to ovulate when hCG is given on day 14. Because this 8-day regimen of clomiphene and hCG was successful in more than 50% of women failing to ovulate after 5 days, this regimen should be used prior to human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) therapy.

Chorionic Gonadotropin↗

PubMed1982

The modulating role of obesity and 17 beta-estradiol (E2) on bound and unbound E2 and adrenal androgens in oophorectomized women.

17 beta-Estradiol (E2) pellet replacement therapy for oophorectomized women has been shown to be safe and effective. Some investigators have advocated the addition of testosterone (T) pellets for oophorectomized women. This study was carried out to measure the level of androgens in oophorectomized women with and without E2 pellets. The possible modulating role of E2 upon adrenal androgens was investigated as well as the effects of obesity on bound and unbound serum levels of E2 and T. Seven obese patients and eight nonobese normal patients with E2 pellets were compared to nine oophorectomized age- and weight-matched control women not receiving estrogen. Obese patients had higher levels of androstenediol (Adiol) and androstenedione (A) than nonobese patients, yet compared to oophorectomized controls, nonobese patients had higher levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and Adiol. As a group, patients with E2 pellets had higher levels of DHEA-S, Adiol A, and unbound T compared to oophorectomized controls, and their Adiol and total and unbound T levels were similar to those of premenopausal females. Obese patients had lower levels of total E2, yet a higher percentage of unbound E2, resulting in unbound E2 levels which were similar to those of the nonobese women. Unbound T was higher in obese patients compared to the nonobese women and oophorectomized controls. In conclusion, these data suggest that 1) there may be a modulating role of E2 on adrenal androgens exemplified by an increased serum level of delta 5-3 beta-ol androgens in women with E2 pellets, 2) supplemental T implants for oophorectomized women may not be necessary, and 3) obese women with pellets have higher levels of Adiol, A, and unbound T then nonobese women and therefore have a higher ratio of androgen to estrogen.

Adult↗