Abstract
Specific RIAs were used to measure testosterone (T), Δ, OHP (results in ng/dl plasma, mean ±SD) HCG test : 1500 IU every other day × 7. In 35 controls (1–14yrs) basal T did not vary with age, Δ increased after age 8 (12±6 vs 37±19) and OHP after 10 yrs (30±22 vs 67±26). According to age, end-test levels did not vary for T and OHP (606±201, 163±158) but increased for Δ(45±l4 vs 70±16 after 8 yrs). Adult male levels were reached for T and OHP but not for Δ. In 11 cryptorchids, end-test T and OHP were low (281±41, 93±46) but Δnormal for age (42±13). In 6 agonadics there was no increase in T, Δ, OHP after HCG. In 5 hypogonadic males T increase was insignificant (≤ 71) but that of Δ and OHP was noted (76, 102). Among 10 male pseudohermaphrodites (MPH) 6 had normal T, Δ, OHP response, 4 had low T (155±68) but normal for age Δ increase after HCG (59±14). In 6 cases of Morris′ sd HCG response was normal or high. Fluoxymesterone significantly decreased T. Δ, OHP in 7 cases. It is suggested that prepubertal testis can contribute to Δ, OHP plasma pool. Since 2 weeks of HCG stimulation led to male adult levels for T and OHP but not for Δand since cortisol secretion does not vary with age, a change in adrenal androgen biosynthesis would occur during sexual maturation. In undescended testis as MPH with low T, but normal Δ response to HCG, an abnormal T biosynthesis might exist beside a relative testicular deficiency.
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Forest, M., Cathiard, A. & Bertrand, J. TESTICULAR CONTRIBUTION TO PERIPHERAL ANDROSTENEDIONE (Δ) AND 17 αHYDROXYPROGESTERONE (OHP) IN RELATION TO AGE IN PREPUBERTAL SUBJECTS WITH NORMAL AND ABNORMAL SEXUAL DIFFERENTIATION. Pediatr Res 9, 669 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197508000-00026
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197508000-00026