Androstanediol glucuronide plasma clearance and production rates in normal and hirsute women

We studied the kinetics and metabolism of tritiated 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha-17 beta-diol glucuronide (3 alpha diolG) in normal and hirsute women. We found no difference in the MCR of 3 alpha diolG between normal and hirsute women [130 +/- 39 (+/- SD) vs. 157 +/- 81; P = NS]. The blood production rate was markedly increased in hirsute women (187 +/- 50 vs. 604 +/- 355 micrograms/day; P less than 0.001) and correlated well with the plasma 3 alpha diolG level (r = 0.96). In women, the conversion ratio of 3 alpha diolG to unconjugated 3 alpha diol or dihydrotestosterone was less than 1%, while the conversion ratio to dihydrotestosterone glucuronide was about 6%. We conclude that the elevated plasma levels of 3 alpha diolG characteristic of hirsutism reflect increased production of this androgen metabolite.