A specific radioimmunossay for testosterone in peripheral plasma.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to R Horton.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
The source of plasma dihydrotestosterone (DHT) (17beta-hydroxy-5alpha-androstan-3-one) in humans has been investigated by infusing two potential peripheral precursors, testosterone (T) and androstenedione (A). Metabolic clearance rates (MCR), conversion ratios (CR), transfer constants (rho), and blood production rates (P(B)) were calculated. Plasma testosterone and dihydrotestosterone were measured by competitive binding techniques. The MCR(DHT) was 652 +/-35 (SD) liters/day in five males and 314 +/-63 (SD) liters/day in four adult females. In each individual, the MCR(DHT) was significantly lower than MCR(T) as predicted by testosterone-binding protein affinity studies. The P(B) (DHT) was 302 +/-65 (SD) mug/day in males and 56 +/-26 mug/day in females. Testosterone and androstenedione are precursors (prehormones) for plasma dihydrotestosterone. The conversion ratio CR(BB) (T-DHT), calculated as the ratio of counts per minute per liter of plasma of product to precursor after infusion of labeled precursor, was 5.6 +/-0.6 (SD)% (six subjects) in the male and 3.5 +/-0.4 (SD)% (four subjects) in the female. CR(BB) (A-DHT) after androstenedione infusion to three female subjects averaged 9.2%. No dihydrotestosterone back conversion was detected (< 0.2%). The transfer constants were [rho]BB(T-DHT), 3.9 +/-1.0% (male) and 1.7 +/-0.6% (female), and [rho]BB(A-DHT) average was 13.3% in three female subjects. Using either plasma testosterone and dihydrotestosterone values from our subjects and mean androstenedione values as reported in the literature, approximate contributions can be calculated. Testosterone conversion accounts for at least 70% of plasma DHT in the male, but less than 20% in the normal female. Androstenedione appears to be a major prehormone of plasma dihydrotestosterone accounting for at least two-thirds plasma dihydrotestosterone by peripheral conversion in adult females. In three normal women undergoing tubal ligation, there was an unimpressive gradient between ovarian vein and peripheral plasma dihydrotestosterone. It is suggested that dihydrotestosterone in the blood does not arise from direct secretion but may reflect events occurring in peripheral androgen target tissues.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
The effect of stimulating and suppressive influences on plasma aldosterone in normal man and in patients with primary aldosteronism were studied using a sensitive double-isotope derivative assay for aldosterone. In normal sitting subjects, values were 9.2+/-0.9 (SE) mmug/100 ml and in subjects supine for 1 hr plasma aldosterone was 5.2+/-0.4 (SE) mmug/100 ml. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), 0.5 U/hr, produced a rise of 46.8+/-22 (SE) mmug which was similar to the 1-hr effect of an infusion of a synthetic ACTH (beta(1-24), Cortrosyn). Angiotensin II in pressor amounts also increased plasma aldosterone 21.5+/-2.9 (SE) without change in plasma cortisol, whereas a subpressor dose ([unk]) had minimal effect.Fludrocortisone, 1.2 mg/day for 3 days, suppressed plasma aldosterone levels to 1.8+/-0.7 (SE) mmug/100 ml in five normal sitting subjects (P < 0.01); however, dexamethasone, 2 mg/day for 1-2 days, did not lower aldosterone concentration in plasma. In six patients with primary aldosteronism, plasma aldosterone on a normal sodium diet was 39.1+/-4.4 (SE) which differed significantly from normal sitting or supine subjects (P < 0.001). In contrast to the normal subjects, neither a pressor infusion of angiotensin II for 1 hr, nor fludrocortisone, 1.2 mg/day for 3 days, impressively altered plasma aldosterone levels. This approach appears to be useful for the study of the acute physiology and control mechanisms of aldosterone production in normal and hypertensive man.