Urinary Excretion of 17-Ketosteroids in Ovarian Failure I. In Hirsutism and Virilizing Syndromes1

Abstract

The urinary excretion of 17-ketosteroids was investigated in 34 [female][female], whose ages ranged from 17-48 yrs. and whose symptomatology of adrenal hyper-activity ranged from simple hirsutism of moderate degree to states of marked virilization. The values established for urinary 17-ketosteroids varied from normal ones to ones increased 400% over normal. These data are regarded as comparable to those obtained after repeated injs. at 2-day intervals of moderate doses (10 to 25 mg.) of testosterone propionate. The data, obtained from the present study, are to be accepted as "measuring sticks" of primary adrenal hyperactivity and are to be employed in subsequent studies of adrenal function as influenced secondarily by diverse grades of ovarian failure.