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5 alpha-reductase activity in polycystic ovary syndrome
P M Stewart1, C H Shackleton, G H Beastall
1Department of Medicine, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Lancet (London, England)
|February 24, 1990
Abstract:
11 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (hirsutism and oligomenorrhoea), but with no deficiency of 21-hydroxylase or 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, had abnormal cortisol metabolism. The high ratio of 5 alpha to 5 beta cortisol metabolites in the urine is consistent with enhanced activity of 5 alpha-reductase. Urinary total cortisol metabolites were higher in patients than controls. Increased 5 alpha-reductase activity in liver and skin enhances hepatic cortisol metabolism at the expense of androgen excess and may be the underlying abnormality in polycystic ovary syndrome.