Ovarian and adrenal steroid production in the postmenopausal woman

Relative contribution of the ovaries and adrenals to the pool of steroids in postmenopausal women is still the subject of much controversy. Estradiol, delta4-androstenedione, and testosterone were assayed in peripheral blood, adrenal, and ovarian vein blood of 11 postmenopausal patients. Intravenous administration of hCG resulted in increased androgen production by the ovaries but not estrogens while intravenous administration of adrenocorticotrophic hormone did not result in the enhancement of ovarian and adrenal estrogens.