Independence of gonadotropin and adrenal androgen secretion

Five groups of 5 normal adult males have been studied. Group 1 received clomiphene, group 2 received exogenous FSH and group 3 testosterone. These three groups received drugs to stimulate LH and FSH, increase levels of FSH or suppress LH and FSH respectively. Circulating levels of testosterone (T), estrone (E1) and 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) were altered while serum concentrations of androstenedione (A), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DS) and urinary 17-ketosteroids (17-KS) were not. The other two groups of 5 adult males had adrenal androgen levels suppressed or stimulated while receiving dexamethasone or ACTH. Serum 17 OHP, A, DHA and DS levels and urinary 17 KS were affected while gonadotropins were unaltered. Hence, no relationship has been demonstrated between circulating levels of adrenal androgens and gonadotropins.