MEASURE OF SALIVAL 17-HYDROXYPROGESTERONE AND ITS CLINICAL USEFULNESSIN THE STUDY OF HIRSUTISM AND THE PARTIAL DEFICIENCY OF 21-HYDROXYLASE

BACKGROUND: The usefulness of the concentration of salival 17-hydroxip rogesterone (17-OHPRG) in the diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperpla sia by partial deficiency of 21-hydroxilase was studied. As a biologic medium, saliva has important advantages such as facility in sample co llection and the avoidance of the stress of venous puncture. METHODS: Salival 17-OHPRG was measured by a direct solid phase radioimmunoassay . A control group made up of 28 males and 26 females was studied. The group of patients included 30 women, 10 of them with a previous diagno sis of partial deficit of 21-hydroxilase. Basal values were establishe d in the control group and were compared with those found in the patie nts in whom a stimulation test with adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) was per formed collecting blood and salival samples. RESULTS: The levels of 17 -OHPRG observed in the patients with partial deficiency of 21-hydroxil ase were significantly higher than those found in the control group an d in the group with hirsutism, including both basal levels and those f ollowing stimulation. The correlation between the values found in bloo d and saliva was very significant. CONCLUSIONS: The measure of 17-hydr oxiprogesterone in saliva by a method of direct radioimmunoassay is a valid alternative test to serum measure in both basal conditions and f ollowing a stimulation test.