A case-report of arrhenoblastoma is presented where the endocrine profile has been determined before, during and after removal of the tumor. Sex steroids, cortisol, corticosteroid binding globulin (CBG) and sex steroid binding protein (SBP) were measured in fluid from 2 cysts, tumor vein and peripheral plasma. Hormones were measures by specific RIAs after stepwise chromatography on celite support according to a new elution pattern allowing the resolution of 8 sex steroid in a single chromatographic system. Excessive amounts of androgen, the most prominent being testosterone, and 17-OH-progesterone, but low levels of estrogens and progesterone were found in preoperative plasma. Due to an androgen-directed rise of CBG, large amounts of plasma cortisol were detected. However, preoperative SBP capacity was found to be reduced. The steroid profile of cyst fluids was found to be similar to that of peripheral plasma. Neoplastic cells were found capable of producing an androgen binding protein. These results correlated well with Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors histology, i.e. a testis-like endocrine structure. From the endocrine profile, the steroid biosynthetic pathways are discussed with respect to the possibility that biosynthesis, once the 17-OH-pregnenolone structure was reached, was active along both the delta 5 and delta 4-steroid pathways. The steroid levels in tumor vein and their corresponding gradients to the periphery are discussed with respect to: i) the possibility of metabolic and biosynthetic capacities of cancer cells bearing an undifferentiated steroidogenic appearance, ii) the possibility for tumor steroid secretion by others means than by venous blood and iii) the possibility that both point i) and ii) could be the cause of inconsistent diagnosis significant of endocrine profile as observed in some patients.

Adolescent↗

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[Threatened premature labor. Account of our recent experience].

We have been using two products, one an alpha-blocker (Vadilex) and the other a beta-stimulating drug (Ritodrine) to treat cases with threatened premature labour. Our experience is with 93 women who were treated in a continuous series. The overall result of our treatment show that 72 per cent of the cases were treated successfully and 28 failed. Analysing these preliminary figures in greater detail we have observed that the prognosis depends mainly on the state of the cervix at the time treatment is started in cases of threatened premature labour. The chances for success are much greater if the cervix is long and closed that if it is taken up or open. Since the trial was not carried out with a "double blind" control, we cannot really tell which of the two products we used was more efficacious.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied