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Adrenal response to adrenocorticotropin stimulation in unexplained infertile women
Author(s) -
Cohen I.,
Blanstein J.,
BenMichael R.,
Lunenfeld B.,
Eshkol A.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/0020-7292(88)90011-2
Subject(s) - medicine , stimulation , basal (medicine) , testosterone (patch) , endocrinology , androgen , significant difference , ovulation induction , infertility , ovulation , hormone , pregnancy , biology , insulin , genetics
The response to a rapid intravenous administration of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH, cortrosyn) was compared in 24 unexplained infertile women and 13 fertile women. There was no significant difference in the response to a rapid ACTH stimulation as expressed by the slope of testosterone (T) response in both groups. However, the individual and mean T values prior and following the stimulation were significantly higher in the infertile group (P < 0.001; P < 0.005, respectively). There was no significant difference in individual values as well as in mean basal values or in mean values of 17‐hydroxyprogesterone (17‐OHP) after the stimulation between the two study groups (P < 0.3; P < 0.9, respectively). There was no significant difference in individual values as well as in mean values of dehydroepiadnrosterone (DHEA) before or 90 min after the stimulation between the two study groups (P < 0.1; P < 0.2, respectively). It can therefore be concluded that the elevated basal testosterone values in the infertile group originated from the ovary. Despite the fact that no attempt was made to reduce androgen values 7 (46.66%) of 15 infertile women who were available for follow‐up and treatment conceived following ovulation induction therapy.