Dihydrotestosterone in human ovarian venous plasma

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Endocrinology
• Steroid Biochemistry

Background:

• The luteal phase is crucial for potential pregnancy, involving complex hormonal interactions within the ovary.
• Understanding ovarian steroidogenesis, including androgens like testosterone and their metabolites like DHT, is key to reproductive health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify concentrations of androstenedione, estradiol-17beta, 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), progesterone, and testosterone in ovarian and peripheral venous blood.
• To investigate the relationship between testosterone and DHT levels in ovarian venous blood during the luteal phase.

Main Methods:

• Radioimmunoassay (RIA) was employed to measure serum concentrations of key steroid hormones.
• Blood samples were collected from the ovarian vein and peripheral cubital vein of 15 women in the luteal phase.
• Ovarian samples were obtained from ovaries containing a corpus luteum and from contralateral ovaries.

Main Results:

• Mean 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) concentrations in ovarian venous blood were comparable to peripheral venous blood.
• A small but statistically significant gradient of DHT was detected in cases exhibiting high ovarian testosterone levels.
• Progesterone and estradiol-17beta levels were significantly higher in ovarian venous blood compared to peripheral blood (data not shown in abstract).

Conclusions:

• Ovarian production of 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) may be influenced by local testosterone concentrations during the luteal phase.
• The corpus luteum's role in androgen metabolism warrants further investigation, particularly concerning testosterone to DHT conversion.