Pituitary Hypogonadism with Adrenal Androgen Deficiency: The Effect of Chorionic Gonadotropin on 17-Ketosteroid Excretion*

Abstract

A female patient showing hypogonadism, eunuchoid proportions and lack of sexual hair was found to excrete no gonadotrophins and very small quantities of 17-ketosteroids. In order to ascertain whether production of adrenal androgen could be stimulated by a luteinizing hormone, she was given a prepn. of chorionic gonadotrophin, 2,000 and 4,000 I.U. daily. There was a small rise in 17-ketosteroid excretion. However, there also occurred evidence of estrin secretion, an unusual result in hypogonadal patients treated with chorionic gonadotrophin, and it is believed possible that the ovary may have been the site of production of the material excreted as a 17-ketosteroid.