SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Steroid profiling”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources

PubMed1999

Administration of glycyrrhetinic acid: significant correlation between serum levels and the cortisol/cortisone-ratio in serum and urine.

In vitro, cortisol and aldosterone have a similar affinity to the mineralocorticoid receptor. The 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase catalyzes the interconversion of cortisol to its inactive 11-oxo-metabolite cortisone. This interconversion is responsible for the in vivo specificity of the mineralocorticoid receptor. A defect of this enzyme leads to a pseudohyperaldosteronism with hypertension and hypokalemia, the so-called apparent mineralocorticoid excess syndrome. Glycyrrhetinic acid, a compound of licorice, also leads to pseudohyperaldosteronism by an inhibition of the 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. We studied the pharmacokinetics of glycyrrhetinic acid and its effect on the 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Ten healthy students, aged 24 to 38 years, were included in the study. On the first day 500 mg glycyrrhetinic acid were given orally at 08.00 h. Blood and urine samples were taken prior to and 2, 4, 7, 10 and 24 hours after ingestion of glycyrrhetinic acid. We measured the serum level of cortisol, cortisone and glycyrrhetinic acid and the urinary excretion rates of cortisol, cortisone and their 20-dihydrometabolites. For determination of glycyrrhetinic acid and steroid levels we used a fully automated liquid chromatographic analyzer which allows the highly specific and simultaneous determination of steroid profiles even in the matrix of urine. Ratios of the 11-hydroxy- and 11-oxo-metabolites were calculated and correlated to the serum level of glycyrrhetinic acid. We found a significant correlation of the steroid-ratios to the serum levels of glycyrrhetinic acid. Coefficients of correlation were 0.9873, 0.7812, 0.7396 and 0.5844 between the serum level of glycyrrhetinic acid and the cortisol/cortisone-ratio in serum (p < 0.0001), the cortisol/cortisone-ratio in urine (p = 0.0279), the 20alpha-dihydrocortisol/20alpha-dihydrocortisone-ratio in urine (p = 0.0119) and the 20beta-dihydrocortisol/20beta-dihydrocortisone-ratio in urine (p = 0.0419), respectively. We conclude that the ratios of cortisol to cortisone and of the 20-dihydrometabolites of cortisol to the 20-dihydrometabolites of cortisone provide a simple noninvasive tool for monitoring the in-vivo activity of the 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

PubMed1999

Steroid metabolism along the gastrointestinal tract of the cannulated pig.

Steroid metabolism along the gastrointestinal tract of the cannulated pig was studied. Thi was achieved by fitting simple gut cannulas in the terminal ileum, caecum and mid-colon of three Landrace x large white boars, which enabled convenient collection of digesta and faecal samples at defined time points. Biochemical analyses showed that the neutral steroid profile of the pig is similar to that of man, dominated by cholesterol and its bacterial metabolite coprostanol. In contrast, pigs consuming a normal diet excrete appreciably lower quantities of neutral sterols in faeces. The major primary bile acids detected were the glycine and taurine amidates of hyocholic and chenodeoxycholic acids, which were rapidly converted to the free bile acids and subsequently dehydroxylated to hyodeoxycholic and lithocholic acids respectively, in the terminal ileum and caecum. Bacterial deconjugation and 7 alpha-dehyrdoxylation are virtually complete in the caecum with negligible further metabolism in the colon and faeces. On a wet weight basis the concentration of both neutral and acid steroids was shown to increase aborally. Inclusion of dietary fibre in the form of cellulose (Solka floc) and guar gum reduced steroid concentration considerably at all sites of the large intestine, which is consistent with their stool bulking effects. In conclusion, this study shows that intestinal steroid metabolism in the pig is similar to that in man despite slightly different bile acid profiles and, therefore, the multicannulated pig may serve as a useful model of man in chemoprevention studies of colorectal cancer.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Searching for new markers of endogenous steroid administration in athletes: "looking outside the metabolic box".

A simple means of detecting the abuse of steroids that also occur naturally is a problem facing doping control laboratories. Specific markers are required to allow the detection of the administration of these steroids. These markers are commonly measured using a set of data obtained from the screening of samples by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Doping control laboratories further need to confirm identified abuse using techniques such as gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-C-IRMS). An interesting urinary species was found while following the pharmacokinetics and changes to the steroid profile from single and multiple oral doses of the International Olympic Committee/World Anti Doping Agency (IOC/WADA) prohibited substance, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). The urine samples collected from the administration studies were subject to GC-MS and GC-C-IRMS steroid analysis following cleanup by solid phase extraction techniques. A useful urinary product of DHEA administration was detected in the urine samples from each of the administration studies and was identified by GC-MS experiments to be 3alpha,5-cyclo-5alpha-androstan-6beta-ol-17-one (3alpha,5-cyclo). This compound occurs naturally but the concentrations of 3alpha,5-cyclo were elevated following both the single DHEA administration (up to 385 ng/mL) and multiple DHEA administrations (up to 1240 ng/mL), in relation to those observed prior to these administrations (70 and 80 ng/mL, respectively). A reference distribution of urine samples collected from elite athletes (n = 632) enabled the natural concentration range of 3alpha,5-cyclo to be established (0-280 ng/mL), with a mean concentration of 22 ng/mL. Based on this an upper 3alpha,5-cyclo concentration limit of 140 ng/mL is proposed as a GC-MS screening marker of DHEA abuse in athletes. GC-C-IRMS analysis revealed significant 13C depletion of 3alpha,5-cyclo following DHEA administration. In the single administration study, the delta13C value of 3alpha,5-cyclo changed from -24.3 per thousand to a minimum value of -31.1 per thousand at 9 h post-administration, before returning to its original value after 48 h. The multiple administration study had a minimum delta13C 3alpha,5-cyclo of -33.9 per thousand during the administration phase in contrast to the initial value of -24.2 per thousand. Preliminary studies have shown 3alpha,5-cyclo to most likely be produced from DHEA sulfate found at high levels in urine. The complementary use of GC-MS and GC-C-IRMS to identify new markers of steroid abuse and the application of screening criteria incorporating such markers could also be adapted by doping control laboratories to detect metabolites of androstenedione, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone abuse.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Plasma progestagen concentrations in the normal and dysmature newborn foal.

Radioimmunoassay (RIA) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to determine plasma progestagen concentrations in the normal and premature foal. Radioimmunoassay provides a profile of plasma progestagens with respect to time but, due to the non-specific nature of the technique and without prior chromatographic purification, quantitative data based on RIA analysis must be interpreted with caution. In contrast, the greater specificity of GC-MS allows identification of specific plasma progestagens and measuring of multiple analytes in a single analysis. Both techniques demonstrated a marked difference in plasma progestagen concentrations between the normal and abnormal foal. GC-MS studies demonstrated that the plasma steroid profile was dominated by pregnenolone and 5-pregnene-3 beta, 20 beta-diol. Measuring the amounts of these 2 steroids in a single analysis demonstrated persistent high concentrations in premature foals, whereas concentrations decreased rapidly in the first few hours following birth in the normal foal. Preliminary analyses of urinary concentrations in the 2 steroids demonstrated again differences between normal and abnormal foals.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Psychiatric side effects of steroid therapy.

Many psychiatric side effects have been noted with steroid administration. Occurring in about 6% of all patients on steroids, they are not uncommon. The English-language literature from 1951 to the present reveals numerous case reports and reviews but few prospective, controlled studies exploring this issue. This paper reviews the various psychiatric presentations and the relationship to patient profile, steroid type, dosage, and therapy duration. In 90% of cases, symptoms are reversible with steroid termination; some patients require psychopharmacologic treatment. Prophylaxis with lithium carbonate has met with good response in a few anecdotal reports and one prospective study.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

PubMed1989

Preimplantation embryo development and serum steroid levels in immature rats induced to ovulate or superovulate with pregnant mares' serum gonadotropin injection or follicle-stimulating hormone infusions.

Follicular stimulation protocols using pregnant mares' serum gonadotropin (PMSG) or a follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) preparation were compared to evaluate the yield and quality of embryos obtained from immature rats. Rats received a superovulatory dose of PMSG (40 IU), a nonsuperovulatory dose of the same gonadotrophin (4 IU), or a continuous s.c. infusion over a 72-h period with a purified FSH preparation containing an optimum ratio of luteinizing hormone (LH): FSH (FSH-hCG). The females were caged with fertile males on the evening of the 3rd day of gonadotropin treatment and scored for the occurrence of mating on the next morning; subgroups were killed on days 1-4 of pregnancy. High fertilization rates were observed in rats treated with 4 IU PMSG (84.1%) and in rats infused with FSH-hCG (91.0%); however, a much lower fertilization rate was observed following treatment with 40 IU PMSG (41.5%). From median ovulation rates of 9 and 79 in rats treated with 4 IU PMSG and in rats infused with FSH-hCG, medians of 8 and 69 embryos, respectively, were recovered from reproductive tracts flushed on day 4 of pregnancy, from which 75% were morulae or blastocysts; in contrast, from a median ovulation rate of 42.5, a median of only 12 embryos was recovered on day 3 of pregnancy following superovulation with 40 IU PMSG of which 80% were degenerate ova. Serum steroid profiles during the first 4 days of pregnancy differed significantly among treatment groups, the major differences being in substantially elevated levels of estradiol and androgens on days 1-3 in rats receiving the high (40 IU) dose of PMSG. Levels of these steroids in rats superovulated with the FSH-hCG infusion regimen were only marginally elevated above levels observed in rats treated with the low (4 IU) nonsuperovulatory dose of PMSG. Consistent with high ovulation rates, serum progesterone levels rose to considerably higher levels during the period in both superovulated groups than in animals receiving the low, nonsuperovulatory dose of PMSG. This work describes a novel method to superovulate rats (FSH-hCG) leading to high yields of normally developing embryos at all preimplantation stages and illustrates the close association between high yield of embryos and low levels of circulating androgens and estradiol-17 beta during the preimplantation period.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Use of LKhM-80 chromatograph in the analysis of urinary steroids].

The paper describes a simple way of updating a Russian production-type LKaM-80 chromatograph in order to make a gas chromatographic analysis of urinary steroids for separation by using high performance capillary columns. To connect capillary columns, the units consisting of a gas heaving T-joint, a stream separating chamber, and a releasing restrictor were applied. To achieve satisfactory results, it is necessary to place a column through the tube connecting the union for attachment of the column and the flame-ionization detector so that the end of a capillary should be located at the detector as soon as closer. The updated chromatograph has been successfully used to obtain urinary steroidal profiles which are essential for the differential diagnosis of causes of hyperandrogyny in females, including pregnants.

Androgens↗

PubMed2000

Identification of novel metabolites of the xenoestrogen 4-tert-octylphenol in primary rat hepatocytes.

A number of environmental pollutants, including 4-tert-alkylphenols, can mimic the actions of endogenous steroids and have the potential to disrupt the endocrine function in humans and animals. The biotransformation of a 4-tert-alkylphenol in isolated rat hepatocytes was studied in order to determine the possible fate and activity of these xenoestrogens in higher vertebrates. Hepatocytes were incubated with 30 microM 4-(1',1',3', 3'-tetramethylbutyl)[U-(14)C]phenol (4-tert-octylphenol; t-OP) for up to 60 min. Radiolabelled metabolites were detected by radio-HPLC and the structures determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of the conjugated or aglycone products. After a 15 min incubation, over 97% of t-OP was metabolised to a complex mixture of metabolites. The initial metabolites formed were identified as products of hydroxylation of the aromatic ring to form catechols and methylated catechols, as well as glucuronide conjugates of the catechol metabolites or parent phenol. These products were further metabolised by hydroxylation of the alkyl chain followed by glucuronide conjugation of the alkoxy group. The conjugated metabolites of t-OP are unlikely to retain estrogen receptor activity, however t-OP is metabolised by some pathways that are similar to that of estrogen catabolism, namely by ortho-hydroxylation to form catechols, methylation by catechol O-methyltransferases and ring conjugation by uridine diphosphoglucuronosyl transferases. Further investigations are needed to determine whether 4-tert-alkylphenols can alter circulating sex steroid profiles by acting as substrates of enzymes determining estrogen metabolism and excretion.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Altered steroidogenesis in whole-ovary and adrenal culture in cycling rats.

Cultures of minced, whole-ovary (whole-ovary culture) were used to determine if three selected chemicals altered steroidogenic profiles. First, phenolsulfonthalein (PST), when used in culture medium, was tested for its influence on in vitro steroidogenesis. Next, aminoglutethimide (AGTP; 0 or 150 mg/kg once) and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP; 0 or 1500 mg/kg/day for 10 days) were administered in vivo to young adult cycling rats, and the ovaries and adrenals were removed and cultured for 1 h. Ovarian steroidogenic profiles of progesterone (P), testosterone (T), and estradiol (E) release into the medium were measured using radioimmunoassay techniques. PST in medium significantly decreased ovarian P production and altered T and E production so that the T/E ratio was significantly altered. Therefore, PST was excluded in the later studies. DEHP altered steroid profiles so that proestrus appeared to be delayed. AGTP decreased P and E production significantly, and T production was increased slightly in proestrus ovaries. These AGTP alterations in T and E resulted in a highly significant increase in the T/E ratio. Adrenals from the DEHP and AGTP experiments were also cultured for 1 h, and P was assayed in the medium. AGTP, but not DEHP, significantly increased the production of P in adrenals. Whole-ovary culture is recommended as an in vitro test for chemicals suspected of interfering with steroidogenesis in vivo. This test model should be placed strategically between in vivo studies of reproductive toxicity and complex in vitro mechanistic studies.

Adrenal Glands↗

PubMed1996

Metabolism of reproductive steroids during the ovarian cycle in two species of callitrichids, Saguinus oedipus and Callithrix jacchus, and estimation of the ovulatory period from fecal steroids.

Gonadal steroids were measured in daily fecal samples providing comparative data on steroid metabolism in two genera of New World primates. Circulating bioactive LH and progesterone concentrations and fecal progesterone, pregnanediol, estradiol, and estrone concentrations were measured by collecting blood and daily fecal samples from four captive common marmoset females and four cotton-top tamarin females for 30 days. High recoveries (> 80%) of labeled steroids that were added directly to the feces before extraction were recovered from feces of both species. Because of the presence of complex steroid conjugates, only one fifth the amount of estradiol was measured without solvolysis as compared to the amount measured with solvolysis. In tamarins, steroids were metabolized rapidly, with all postovulatory increases occurring within two days after the circulating LH peak (an increase of 2 SD higher than mean follicular levels). In marmosets, steroid excretion was slower; increased steroid levels occurred 2-4 days after the LH peak except in the case of estrone, which did not consistently increase after the LH peak. Circulating estrone and estradiol both contributed to the high excretion of estradiol in the feces from both species. The timing in the delay in excretion of fecal steroids was used to accurately determine the ovulatory period to within a 2-day window. This degree of accuracy is possible when the duration of the delay to the LH peak is known for a given species. Additionally, steroid concentrations were highly correlated between frozen and lyophilized fecal samples (0.81 +/- 0.07 SEM), indicating that fluid removal from the feces did not effectively alter steroid profiles.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

[Response of ovarian steroid secretion to the intrinsic gonadotropin release caused by the administration of a synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone--the difference between the follicular and luteal phases].

During gynecologic laparotomy both ovarian and peripheral venous blood specimens were collected simultaneously, and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), pregnenolone (P5), 17 alpha-hydroxypregnenolone (17 alpha-OH-P5), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA), progesterone (P4), 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17 alpha-OH-P4), delta 4-androstenedione (delta 4-A), estradiol (E2) and 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone (20 alpha-OH-P4) were measured in each sample by means of the radioimmunoassay technique before and after the administration of synthetic LH-releasing hormone (LH-RH). Significantly higher concentrations of P5, 17 alpha-OH-P4 and E2 during the follicular phase and that of P5, DHA, P4, 17 alpha-OH-P4 and E2 during luteal phase were observed in the ovarian than in the peripheral venous blood. During the follicular phase, P5, DHA and E2 concentrations in ovarian vein blood increased significantly following LH-RH administration. It was observed that the delta 4-steroids and E2 concentrations during the luteal phase were higher than those during the follicular phase. During the luteal phase P4, 17 alpha-OH-P4, and E2 increased after LH-RH administration. Enzymes involved in the formation of these steroids may be stimulated by the intrinsic gonadotropin caused by LH-RH administration. The difference in steroidal profiles in ovarian vein blood and response to LH-RH in follicular and luteal phase were demonstrated.

Female↗

PubMed1983

Relation between acute pituitary responsiveness to gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and the ovarian cycle in the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana.

Freshly captured female bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) were challenged with a standard dose (2 micrograms) of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) shortly before and at the onset of the spawning season (in early April and mid-May) to examine the relationship between pituitary responsiveness and ovarian stage; males were also tested in April. As shown previously, increments in plasma gonadotropins induced by GnRH were consistently lower in females than in males. There was little difference in average responsiveness between the two collections of females and results for these were similar to those obtained at other times of the year. A wide range of ovarian stages was represented at both collection times as evidence by plasma steroid profiles, but there was no correlation between the GnRH-induced increments in plasma FSH and LH and plasma levels of androgens (testosterone and 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone), estradiol-17 beta, or progesterone in the 71 females tested. Thus, there is no evidence of a feedback effect of ovarian steroids on the pituitary responsiveness to acute GnRH stimulation in the frog as has been demonstrated in mammals.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura treated with steroid therapy does not prevent acute myocardial infarction: a case report.

We report the case of a 65-year-old man affected by idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, who developed an acute myocardial infarction after 2 years of steroid therapy. Thrombocytopenia was initially recognized 11 years earlier, and became severe during the past 2 years [platelets (PLTS) 10000-30000/microl]. He was treated with steroids, initially to perform a surgical procedure (prednisone 75 mg/day), subsequently to maintain a platelet count of about 50000/microl (prednisone 12.5 mg/day). After 1 year of treatment, he began to complain about exertional angina and dyspnea. His blood pressure became elevated and cholesterol level raised. The exercise electrocardiogram, previously manifesting ischaemic changes, normalized after 1 month of steroid wash-out; however, steroid therapy was reinstituted (prednisone 5 mg per day). One year later, he suffered an infero-lateral non-Q-wave myocardial infarction. It seems likely that the severe coronary atherosclerosis present in our patient developed despite a low platelet count, under the spur of a heavier risk factor profile. Steroid therapy could have had a role as a precipitating agent of the acute event, and the opportunity of alternative treatments is considered.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Studies on reproductive endocrinology in non-human primates: application of non-invasive methods.

A practical method for the quantitative measurement of estrone conjugates (E1C), pregnanediol-3-glucronide (PdG), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and monkey chorionic gonadotropin (mCG) in the excreta of non-human primates were described. In the series of studies, results suggest that 1) urinary and fecal steroid metabolites accurately reflected the same ovarian or testicular events as observed in plasma steroid profiles in captive Japanese macaques, time lags associated with fecal measurements were one day after appearance in urine; 2) these noninvasive methods were applicable to wild and free-ranging macaques for determining reproductive status; 3) hormonal changes during menstrual cycles and pregnancy could be analyzed by measurement of FSH, CG and steroid metabolites in the excreta in captive great apes and macaques; and 4) hormone-behavior relationships of macaques in their natural habitats and social setting could be analyzed. In macaques, between maternal rejection and excreted estrogen, but not excreted progesterone were associated, moreover, in male study, significantly higher levels of fecal cortisol were observed in high-ranking males. In addition, reliable noninstrumented enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (NELISA) for detection of early pregnancy in macaques was established. These results suggest that the noninvasive characteristic of excreted hormone monitoring provide a stress-free approach to the accurate evaluation of reproductive status in primates.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Genetic evolution of breast cancers. III: Age-dependent variations in the correlations between biological indicators of prognosis.

The influence of age on the occurrence of phenotypic features of prognostic significance was studied in relation to the DNA index values, measured on DNA histograms from a series of 1019 breast cancer patients. Globally, the distributions of all parameters showed variations with age, the most prominent being the decreases in the percentage of estrogen receptor-negative and high proliferative activity cases with increasing age. When analyzed according to the DNA index classes, all parameters were found to some extent linked with the stage of genetic evolution. However, the associations varied with age, defining two extreme groups. The younger patients (less than 40 years) presented a more complete acquisition of the 'aggressive' phenotype and near-triploid tumors from this group were very frequently steroid hormone receptor-negative, high proliferation, and grade III. By contrast, near-triploid tumors in patients above 65 presented relatively frequently as receptor-positive, low proliferative activity, and even grade I. The correlation of the proliferative status with steroid hormone receptor content led to similar conclusions, high proliferation being more strongly correlated with the absence of estrogen and progesterone receptors in younger patients. Interestingly, the association between high proliferation and negative progesterone receptors was much weaker in patients above 55. Our results suggest that the currently established biological prognostic factors, including DNA profile, steroid hormone receptors, and histopathological grade, show patterns of association which vary with age. Of these, only progesterone receptor could be influenced by menopausal status. These findings have to be taken into consideration for future prognostic factor-related treatment decisions, but also for future methodological improvements of multivariate survival analyses.

Adult↗

PubMed1980

Effect of follicular steroids on the maturation and fertilization of mammalian oocytes.

Pronuclear development was used to measure the effects on ovine oocytes of altering follicular steroidogenesis during maturation in vitro. Follicular steroid secretion was altered using enzyme inhibitors and exogenous steroid supplementation. Abnormalities induced during maturation were measured 24 h after tranfer of oocytes to the oviducts of inseminated hosts. The presence throughout maturation of aminoglutethimide, an inhibitor of the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone, reduced steroid secretion to 7% of that in controls and decreased from 77% to 33% the number of normal oocytes. Abnormalities were substantially reduced by the addition of aminoglutethimide during the final 8 h of maturation only. The inhibition of 17 alpha-hydroxylase enzymes with SU10603 reduced oestrogen and testosterone secretion to about 10% of control levels but had no effect on progestin secretion. Only 13% of oocytes matured in the continual presence of SU10603 underwent normal fertilization. The number of oocytes undergoing normal fertilization was increased to about 50% by (i) delaying the addition of SU10603 until the last 8 h of the maturation period or (ii) adding exogenous steroids to follicles cultured with inhibitor from explantation. It is concluded that oocytes require a specific intra-follicular steroid environment for the completion of the full maturation process. Alterations to the steroid profile during maturation induce changes in the oocyte which are expressed as gross abnormalities at fertilization.

Aminoglutethimide↗

PubMed1995

Serum and urinary steroids in girls with precocious pubarche and/or hirsutism due to mild 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency.

To obtain data on the correlation of serum and urinary steroids in nonclassical 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta-HSD) deficiency, 9 girls with precocious pubarche and 33 adolescent girls with mild to severe hirsutism were studied. Urinary steroid profiles were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography. Serum 17-OH-pregnenolone (17-OHPreg) and 17-OH-progesterone (17-OHP) were determined by RIA after column-chromatographic separation. One out of 9 girls with precocious pubarche and 4/33 girls with hirsutism had elevated ratios of 17-OHPreg to 17-OHP after ACTH stimulation in serum and elevated urinary excretion of 5-ene steroids under basal conditions. These patients were defined to have decreased adrenal 3 beta-HSD activity. Basal and ACTH-stimulated serum 17-OHPreg levels in patients with mild 3 beta-HSD deficiency overlapped those of healthy controls and peripubertally virilized female patients without enzyme deficiency. Post-ACTH 17-OHPreg/17-OHP ratios in serum discriminated patients with and without 3 beta-HSD deficiency using a cutoff value of 13 instead of mean + 2 SD for age-related control values (6.7 and 11.6 for girls with Tanner stage II-III and IV-V, respectively). Sums of urinary 5-ene steroids in patients with 3 beta-HSD deficiency overlapped those in patients without enzyme deficiency. Results showed that an abnormal post-ACTH serum 17-OHPreg/17-OHP ratio may not be associated with elevated urinary 5-ene steroid excretion, and vica versa. In conclusion, patients with simultaneous elevation of post-ACTH serum 17-OHPreg/17-OHP ratio and basal urinary 5-ene steroid excretion are supposed to have mild 3 beta-HSD deficiency.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone↗

PubMed1999

Plasma steroid interactions during high-density green turtle nesting and associated disturbance.

Raine Island in the Northern Great Barrier Reef constitutes an extremely high-density green turtle (Chelonia mydas) rookery. On this island, competitive interactions for nesting space and subsequent disturbance of individual nesting are widespread. High-density nesting often delays successful oviposition by one or more nights. There is little information on how hormones in female reptiles interact during competitive reproductive events in such high-density nesting populations. In this three-part study we investigated the interactions between density (within and between rookery/ies), nesting success and failure, and plasma steroid profiles in green turtles. First, we compared levels of plasma corticosterone (B) and combined testosterone + 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (T + DHT) in turtles during five stages of oviposition in both a high-nesting-density sector (1 turtle/m2) and a low-nesting-density sector (0.1 turtle/m2). Second, we investigated the relationship between increasing delays (0, 1, 2, 3, and 6 days) in successful oviposition and the plasma steroids B and T + DHT. Third, we assessed a comparative measure of steroid hormone levels of females at low-density sites on Raine Island (high-density rookery) and Number Seven Sandbank (low-density rookery). Despite a significant trend suggesting high-density nesting turtles elaborated more plasma B than turtles in low-density sectors, the magnitude of this increase was small. We suggest that this increase may be an artifact of increased metabolic demand and hence catabolism of energy substrates associated with high-density nesting. Plasma T + DHT remained stable in response to density-dependent effects associated with nesting. Furthermore, prolonging successful oviposition because of multiple nightly disturbance failed to elicit any change in either plasma B or T + DHT. These data suggest that green turtles may be exhibiting adrenal desensitization to prevent both physical and behavioral disturbances interfering with reproduction. We suspect that down-regulating the acute adrenocortical response may represent an adaptive trade-off mechanism for optimizing current reproductive success at the potential expense of survivorship.

Animals↗