ESTROGEN EXCRETION IN OVARIEOTOMIZED WOMEN RECEIVING ADRENOCORTICOTROPIN*†

Abstract

Increased urinary estrogen excretion was observed in each of 9 ovariectomized but otherwise normal women receiving large doses of ACTH for three days. Increases were modest, reaching only the lower limits of the range for normal women of reproductive age, even when treatment was prolonged for thirteen days. No increase in estrogen excretion occurred in 3 women receiving large doses of hydrocortisone. It is concluded that the enhanced estrogen excretion occurring in women receiving ACTH is due to direct stimulation of adrenal estrogen excretion rather than a conversion of adrenal steroids to estrogen or an effect of the adrenal steroids on the kidney causing enhanced excretion of estrogens.