THE POLYCYSTIC OVARY. VI.

Abstract

Detailed clinical and biochemical studies were performed in a 22 yr. old woman with primary amenorrhea, virili-zation, bilateral sclerocystic ovarian disease and a hilar cell tumor of one ovary. By clinical, radiological and dynamic functional endocrine tests, the ovarian source of the excessive androgen production was established prior to surgery. In vivo and in vitro production of testosterone by the tumor was established as well as its ability to metabolize progesterone and 4-androstenedione to a variety of compounds. The biochemical characteristics of this tumor strongly resemble testicular tumors, even to the existence of an 11[beta] -hydroxylase. Epitestosterone was found in the urine, and the existence of a 17[alpha]-hydroxysteroid de-hydrogenase was demonstrated in the sclerocystic ovarian tissue. No estrogen was synthesized by the tumor or the ovarian tissue under the in vitro conditions.