ORIGIN OF ANDROGEN AND ESTROGEN IN A VIRILIZED POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMAN WITH BILATERAL BENIGN CYSTIC TERATOMAS

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 49  (6) , 695-704
Abstract
Clitoromegaly was observed in a 73 yr old woman who had bilateral ovarian benign cystic teratomas that contained only epithelial derivatives. Scattered in the stroma of these ovaries were clusters of hyperplastic cells. The plasma testosterone production rate was 2.4 mg/day, a value that is 10 times greater than that of normal postmenopausal women. The elevated plasma concentrations of testosterone and androstenedione decreased to normal by the 2nd day after bilateral oophorectomy. Ovarian venous concentrations of testosterone and androstenedione were also increased and were considerably greater than those in peripheral blood. Estrone production was 68 .mu.g/day, most of which could be accounted for by the extraglandular formation from androstenedione. Estradiol production was 71 .mu.g/day, of which 75% was computed to arise from extraglandular formation and the remainder likely arose by ovarian secretion. The modest increase in estrogen production was associated with slight cystic hyperplasia of the endometrium. The hyperplastic ovarian stroma was the source of excessive androgen production.