Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0042755 (masculinization)
 2,562 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Fertility was evaluated in 53 female patients with late-onset adrenal hyperplasia (LAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency. The majority of patients (n = 33) were seen for isolated postpubertal hirsutism, 9 patients consulted for sterility, and 11 for irregular menstrual cycles. At the time of diagnosis, the ages of patients ranged from 15-40 yr (mean +/- SD, 24.6 +/- 5.2). No patient had major signs of virilization. The plasma 17-hydroxyprogesterone level was higher than normal in all patients (26.8 +/- 18.9 nmol/L; range, 3.4-139.4) and dramatically increased to 140.1 +/- 80.6 nmol/L (range, 35.2-324.2) after ACTH treatment. Plasma androgen levels were high (testosterone, 3.25 +/- 2.03 nmol/L; delta 4-androstenedione, 13.65 +/- 5.60 nmol/L). Plasma basal and LHRH-stimulated values were normal for FSH and high for LH. Basal and TRH-stimulated plasma PRL levels were normal. Among these 53 LAH patients, only 20 desired a pregnancy. These had a total of 38 pregnancies. Ten patients became pregnant before the diagnosis of LAH and without any treatment; they had a total of 18 pregnancies, 12 of which were successful. Moreover, 19 normal pregnancies without any spontaneous abortion were carried to term by 14 of 16 hydrocortisone-treated patients. One patient needed the association of one cure of clomiphene citrate. Hypofertility in LAH patients seems, therefore, to be relative. Its mechanism is hormonal, with anovulation or dysovulation, due to the continuous steroid feedback of adrenal origin on the hypothalamo-pituitary axis. Hydrocortisone is the appropriate treatment in most cases, reducing adrenal androgen overproduction and relieving hypothalamic-pituitary gonadotropin function, thereby making possible cyclic ovarian activity and ovulations.
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PMID:Fertility in women with late-onset adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency. 131 Sep 99

Studies on the endocrine function of the ageing ovary are briefly reviewed. In the perimenopausal years, follicular function can become defective, leading to variable and often shortened cycle length and frequent anovulation. In the postmenopausal period the ovarian stromal cells continue to secrete variable amounts of steroid, mainly androgens. The endocrine activity of the postmenopausal ovary is generally too low to cause clinical symptoms. Occasional cases of hirsutism and even virilization have been reported in postmenopausal women with non-neoplastic lesions of the ovary.
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PMID:The ageing ovary. 680 60

A 27 year old nulliparous woman with a history of chronic anovulation and signs of virilization with a markedly elevated serum level of testosterone, underwent a laparotomy with peroperative bilateral ovarian vein catheterization and bilateral bisection of both ovaries. A solid, 1.5 cm, well delimited tumor located centrally in the right ovary, was excised. Testosterone levels in ovarian venous blood from the tumor bearing side, were 88.4 nmol/l and from the contralateral ovary 3.9 nmol/l. Histopathological examination showed a Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor which was radically extirpated. Postoperatively, the serum levels of androgen normalized, the woman had regular cycles, became pregnant and delivered a normal female baby. Pieces of tumor tissue were incubated for 2 h, with and without addition of gonadotropins and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Human chorionic gonadotropin (CG), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) caused significant increases in cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) production in tumor tissue in vitro, as compared to controls. Furthermore, ACTH also significantly stimulated 17 beta-estradiol production. In tumor cells cultured for 48 h, FSH slightly, but not significantly, increased the production of progesterone. In the cell culture, [3H]-thymidine incorporation into deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was stimulated by IGF1 alpha but not by hCG and FSH. It is concluded that Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors may be sensitive to gonadotropins and ACTH and that their small size, solid shape and intra-ovarian localization can cause diagnostic difficulties.
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PMID:In vitro production of cyclic AMP and steroids from an ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor. Notes on clinical management. 773 6

We report a case of a 34-year-old woman affected with ovarian arrhenoblastoma characterized by very high testosterone (T) levels (34.0-60.0 ng/ml; n.v.0.2-0.9) and suppressed gonadotropin levels. The physical examination revealed: severe hirsutism, acne, amenorrhea and other virilization signs. Basal hormonal evaluation also showed a markedly elevated 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) and a mild delta 4 Androstenedione (A) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAs) increase. ACTH test induced only slight changes in androgen secretion. By contrast, dexamethasone test greatly decreased A and DHEAs whereas T levels were only partially suppressed. Moreover, hCG test was clearly stimulatory for T and A. Suppressed gonadotropin levels did not respond to LHRH stimulation. The removal of the neoplasia was followed by normalization of T levels and increase of serum gonadotropins with subsequent restoration of a normal responsiveness to LHRH and resumption of an ovulatory menstrual cycle. This observation suggests that the high T levels played a primary role in the pathogenesis of the gonadotropin suppression and anovulation. Recovery of acne was complete whereas hirsutism score was reduced but still elevated after one year. This may be due to postoperative A and DHEAs levels slightly above the normal range, indicating the presence of adrenal hyperandrogenism.
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PMID:Clinical features and hormonal characteristics in a case of ovarian arrhenoblastoma. 888 44

The cardinal clinical features of PCOS are hirsutism and menstrual irregularity from anovulation. Obesity occurs in approximately 50% of hyperandrogenic anovulatory women, some of whom also have non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Underlying these clinical findings are several biochemical abnormalities, including LH hypersecretion, hyperandrogenism, acyclic estrogen production, decreased SHBG capacity, and hyperinsulinemia, all of which contribute to increased ovarian production of androgens, particularly T. A fundamental mechanism of ovarian hyperandrogenism in PCOS is LH hypersecretion. Whether the central nervous system is a possible locus for initiating LH hypersecretion remains unclear, because exaggerated LH secretion is temporarily reversed by induced ovulatory cycles or physiologic luteal concentrations of progesterone. On the other hand, desynchronization of pulsatile LH secretion from sleep in girls with PCOS and an exaggerated (e.g., masculinized) early LH response to GnRHa testing in women with hyperandrogenic anovulation and congenital adrenal virilizing disorders suggest that events occurring before puberty, perhaps during fetal life, may irreversibly alter neuroendocrine function. Hyperinsulinemia from insulin resistance is an important regulatory mechanism governing ovarian hyperandrogenism. Hyperinsulinemia in hyperandrogenic anovulatory women potentiates ovarian hyperandrogenism by enhancing LH secretion; potentiating 17-hydroxylase and, to a lesser extent, 17,20-lyase activity; and suppressing SHBG capacity. It is a key component of hyperandrogenic anovulation caused by a type of insulin resistance that in independent and additive to that of obesity alone. Although the mechanisms governing insulin action on ovarian steroidogenesis are unknown, abnormalities of intracellular insulin signaling or cytochrome P450c 17[alpha] activity may render the 17-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase enzyme complex more sensitive to insulin. Hyperinsulinemia in hyperandrogenic anovulatory women is accompanied by upper-body obesity characterized by an increased amount of abdominal fat. Upper-body obesity is an important independent risk factor for CVD and diabetes. Although genetic and environmental factors affect fat distribution, sex steroids, particularly androgens, regulate lipid metabolism, suggesting yet another link between the hormonal and metabolic abnormalities of hyperandrogenic anovulation. A careful history and physical examination guide the extent of diagnostic testing. Slowly progressive hirsutism with anovulation of peripubertal onset usually reflects hyperandrogenic anovulation. This type of clinical presentation requires an evaluation to rule out other endocrinopathies (e.g., virilizing tumors, adult-onset CAH, hyperprolactinemia, and Cushing's syndrome). Virilization or severe rapidly progressive hirsutism requires immediate investigation to rule out a possible virilizing tumor. The ultimate goals of therapy for hyperandrogenic anovulatory women are to normalize the endometrium, antagonize androgen action at target tissues, reduce insulin resistance, and correct anovulation, if necessary.
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PMID:Polycystic ovary syndrome. 942 64

Androgen excess (AE) is one of the most common endocrine disorders, affecting 10% of adult women before the menopause. The clinical picture varies widely depending on the etiology of AE. Most of these women are suffering from hirsutism, acne, menstrual disturbances, anovulation and obesity. Virilization is unusual, except in patients with ovary or adrenal cancer. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and idiopathic hirsutism (IH) are the most frequent causes of androgen excess, accounting for more than 90% of the cases. The pathogenesis of PCOS is still an unresolved problem. A hereditary predisposition has been suggested. Enzymatic deficiency is a less frequent cause of AE, the most common deficiency being the non classic 21-OH deficiency (NCAH). AE has been implicated as a side effect of many drugs. Ovary and adrenal tumours are unusual, however, they must be considered especially in case of severe hirsutism or virilization. Complementary investigations are selected based on the result of clinical examination. Pharmacologic therapy, usually with anti-androgens, is the most widely used treatment for PCOS, IH and NCAH. Surgical therapy should be considered only when there is a particular indication such as Cushing's syndrome, ovary or adrenal tumours.
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PMID:[Hyperandrogenism: clinical aspects, investigation and treatment]. 1038 70

In female mammals, including humans, deviations from normal androgenic or estrogenic exposure during fetal development are detrimental to subsequent adult ovarian function. Androgen deficiency, without accompanying estrogen deficit, has little apparent impact on ovarian development. Fetal estrogen deficiency, on the other hand, results in impaired oocyte and follicle development, immature and abnormal adult ovaries, and excessive ovarian stimulation from endogenous gonadotropins ultimately generating hemorrhagic follicles. Complete estrogen deficiency lasting into adulthood results in partial ovarian masculinization. Fetal androgen excess, on the other hand, mediated either by direct androgen action or following androgen aromatization to estrogen, reprograms ovarian development and reproductive neuroendocrinology to mimic that found in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: enlarged, polyfollicular, hyperandrogenic, anovulatory ovaries with accompanying LH hypersecretion. Oocyte developmental competence is also compromised. Insulin is implicated in the mechanism of both anovulation and deficient oocyte development. Fetal estrogen excess induces somewhat similar disruption of adult ovarian function to fetal androgen excess. Understanding the quality of the fetal female sex steroid hormone environment is thus becoming increasingly important in improving our knowledge of mechanisms underlying a variety of female reproductive pathologies.
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PMID:Contributions of androgen and estrogen to fetal programming of ovarian dysfunction. 1660 51

Polycystic ovary syndrome (POS) is one of the most common endocrine abnormalities affecting women of reproductive age. It is a cause of significant social embarrassment and emotional distress. The pathogenesis of the disease is not yet fully understood, but it is thought to be a complex multigenic disorder, including abnormalities in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, steroidogenesis, and insulin resistance. The main diagnostic findings of the syndrome are: hyperandrogenism, chronic anovulation and polycystic ovarian morphology seen on ultrasound. Hyperandrogenism is generally manifested as hirsutism, acne, seborrhea, androgenic alopecia and, in severe cases, signs of virilization. Treatment may improve the clinical manifestations of excess androgen production, normalize menses and ameliorate metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular complications. This article reviews the diagnosis, clinical manifestations, metabolic complications, and treatment of the syndrome. Early diagnosis and the consequent early treatment may prevent metabolic complications and emotional distress that negatively impact the patients' quality of life.
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PMID:Polycystic ovary syndrome: a dermatologic approach. 2143 31