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Several series of data suggest that alterations in adrenal androgen output might be a contributing factor to changes in bone mass. To study the possible relationship between bone density and serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) we investigated 105 women (aged 45–69 years; 76 postmenopausal, 29 perimenopausal). The patients were divided into two groups according to the bone mineral density (BMD) measurement (normal densityn=50, low densityn=55). BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry of the lumbar spine and femoral neck. Bone mineral content (BMC) of the radius midshaft was measured by single photon absorptiometry. Serum DHEAS level was significantly lower in the ‘low density’ group than in the ‘normal’ one (1.91±1.04 v 4.77±2.03 µmol/l,p

An improved gas chromatographic method is reported for the determination of unconjugated and solvolysable dehydroepiandrosterone and androsterone in plasma. Free steroids below a level of 1 μg/100 cm3 are determined as heptafluorobutyrates by electron capture detection following extraction and thin-layer chromatographic purification. Free steroids above 1 μg/100 cm3 and steroid sulphates are measured as acetates using flame ionisation detection following solvolysis, extraction and thin-layer chromatography. Control experiments and representative normal values prove that the method is suitable for the determination of steroids in human, rat and dog plasma.

The behaviour of model steroids, 17-ketosteroid formates, acetates, bromides, and dinitrophenylhydrazones, and of extracts obtained from biological material has been studied by means of thin-layer chromatography.

Dehydroepiandrosterone, androsterone and etiocholanolone sulphate esters have been determined in peripheral blood plasma of patients with prostatic carcinoma. A significant decrease in the plasma level of steroid was observed. A diminution in the excretion rate of certain 17-oxosteroid conjugates was also found in the same patients. There was no correlation between the steroid levels and orchidectomy or heterosexual hormone treatment. From the findings it is assumed that an insufficient production of dehydroepiandrosterone and/or its sulphate ester in adrenal may play a role in the low steroid content of peripheral blood and urine. However, the abnormality of steroid metabolism appears to be in no close relationship with the disease, rather, it may be the consequence of an aspecific stress reaction.

Im Harn von 16 Leukamiekranken hat sich die Menge der einzelnen Androgen-Metaboliten (Dehydroepiandrosteron, Atiocholanolon, Androsteron und 11-OH-Androsteron) nach Behandlung mit Depot-ACTH nicht oder weniger vermehrt als bei der Kontrollgruppe. Im Falle chronisch-lymphoider Leukamie ist die Zunahme der aus Cortisol entstehenden 17-Ketosteroide (11-OH-Atiocholanolon und 11-Keto-Atiocholanolon) — im Gegensatz zur myeloiden Leukamie — erhoht oder normal.