[Aging and delta 4-androstenedione and testosterone production in the ovary]

To elucidate the change in delta r-androstenedione (delta 4-A) and testosterone (T) productions in the ovary before and after menopause, serum delta 4-A and T levels in the ovarian vein and artery and the peripheral vein were measured by a RIA in premenopausal (35 to 45yrs. and 46 to 50yrs. groups) and postmenopausal patients (51 to 65yrs.) with early stage uterine cancer. Serum delta 4-A and T levels in the peripheral vein after bilateral oophorectomy were also measured and the following results were obtained. In the ovarian vein, the delta 4-A level of the postmenopausal group decreased to about 25% of the premenopausal levels. In the ovarian artery and peripheral vein, the delta 4-A level of the postmenopausal group decreased respectively to about 55% and 60% of the premenopausal levels. However, the T levels before and after the menopause scarcely changed. From 2 to 30 days after bilateral oophorectomy, the delta 4-A levels were 13.3% of the preoperative levels in 3 premenopausal women, but the delta 4-A levels were 67.7% in 1 postmenopausal woman. The T levels were 62.2% and 66.4% respectively. These data suggest that delta 4-A production in the ovary decreases markedly after menopause, but T production is fully maintained.