DETERMINATION OF THE STEROIDOGENIC CAPACITY IN PREMATURE OVARIAN FAILURE

Objective: To determine the secretion of precursors, intermediate and final products of androgen biosynthesis in women with premature ovaria n failure (POF).Patients: Seven patients 20 to 34 years of age with id iopathic POF and a control group of six women 27 to 29 years of age wi th normal ovarian function studied during the early follicular phase w ere included. Design, Interventions: In all patients an adrenal stimul ation test was performed as follows: a short dexamethasone (DEX) inhib ition was carried out the night before the corticotropin (ACTH, 0.25 m g, Cortrosyn; Organon, Orangeburg, NY) stimulation test, obtaining blo od samples in basal conditions, post-DEX inhibition as well as at 60, 120, and 180 minutes after the ACTH bolus. Main Outcome Measures: Usin g specific RIA serum concentrations of DELTA 5 precursors (pregnenolon e, 17-hydroxypregnenolone, DHEA), DELTA 4 intermediates (P, 17-hydroxy progesterone, androstenedione) and the final products T and cortisol ( F) were measured. Results: Adrenal inhibition and stimulation response s in both groups of patients showed no differences for DELTA 5 precurs ors and F. On the other hand, DELTA 4 intermediates and androgens exhi bited significant differences at the level of response to ACTH stimula tion. Patients with POF had significantly lower values than those of c ontrol group. Conclusion: An important decrement in the steroidogenesi s was noticed in POF, particularly in androgen synthesis, revealing th e selective participation of the adrenal gland in steroid production.