THE RELATION BETWEEN PLASMA AND ROSTENEDIONE AND OESTRONE LEVELS IN UNTREATED AND CORTICOSTEROID-TREATED POST-MENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Abstract

Plasma estrone (E1) and androstenedione (A) were measured in 96 untreated and 18 corticosteroid-treated post-menopausal women. Levels of both hormones were consistently lower in the steroid-treated cases, presumably due to suppression of ACTH secretion. There was a clear relationship between A and E1 levels in both groups and when the data were pooled they formed a continuous series with a curvilinear relationship going through the origin. This relationship could be described by an equation based on Michaelis-Menten kinetics, suggesting that the rate of A to E1 conversion is an inverse function of the plasma androstenedione level. The main determinant of plasma E1 conversion is an inverse function of the plasma androstenedione level. The main determinant of plasma E1 was plasma A. Body weight and age were of subsidiary importance. Secondary estrogen deficiency may be a factor in the genesis of steroid-induced osteoporosis in post-menopausal women and estrogen therapy may be indicated in this group of patients.