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Menopause Related Changes of Adrenocortical Steroid Production
Author(s) -
Akamatsu Tatsuya,
Chiba Hiroshi,
Kamiyama Hiroshi,
Hirose Kazuhiro,
Saito Hiroshi,
Yanaihara Takumi
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1447-0756
pISSN - 1341-8076
DOI - 10.1111/j.1447-0756.1992.tb00013.x
Subject(s) - pregnenolone , androstenedione , endocrinology , medicine , dehydroepiandrosterone , basal (medicine) , menopause , stimulation , adrenal cortex , acth stimulation test , steroid hormone , hormone , adrenocorticotropic hormone , steroid , androgen , insulin
To elucidate changes of adrenocortical steroid production with age, reproductive age ( n =14), peri‐menopausal ( n =12) and post‐menopausal ( n =13) women were studied using basal hormone levels and the results of a rapid ACTH stimulation test. Peripheral serum levels of pregnenolone, 17 α ‐hydroxypregnenolone, 17 α ‐hydroxyprogesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione were measured by RIA. The basal levels of all steroids except pregnenolone decreased with age. A significant increase in the levels of all steroids after ACTH stimulation was observed in all subjects. Although, there was an age related decrease in the response of C 19 ‐steroids to ACTH, the response of pregnenolone and 17 α ‐hydroxyprogesterone to ACTH did not alter with age. The preserved response of 17 α ‐hydroxyprogesterone to ACTH in post‐menopausal women suggests that 17 α ‐hydroxyprogesterone production plays a role in the age independency of cortisol. In the present paper, the changes in the capacity of the post‐menopausal adrenal cortex to produce androgens and C 21 ‐steroids were demonstrated.