[Steroid hormone level in patients with Itsenko-Cushing disease]

A study was made of the content of cortisol, corticosterone, 11-deoxycortisol, estradiol, testosterone and progesterone in the blood plasma using radioimmunoassay and of the content of these hormones or their main metabolites in the daily urine using physicochemical methods in 77 patients with an active stage of the Icenko-Cushing disease. An acute increase in cortisol secretion, a noticeable rise of progesterone secretion, and significant deviations in testosterone production having opposite nature in men and women were established: in men androgen content in the body was lowered, in women raised. The adrenals were shown to be the main site of testosterone and progesterone secretion in female patients. One-type disorders of the rhythm of secretion of hormones determined during one day (disappearance or reduction of daily variations) were revealed.