Aromatization of testosterone by epithelial tumor cells cultured from patients with ovarian carcinoma.

Ovarian epithelial carcinoma originates from the surface mesothelium. It is controversial whether these tumors possess steroidogenic enzymes, similar to malignancies of other ovarian cell types. This study reports aromatase enzymatic activity for three epithelial cell lines, OV1225, OV166, and 2774, established from patients with ovarian adenocarcinoma. Aneuploidy of the cells was demonstrated by flow cytometric DNA analyses which showed OV1225 tetraploid, OV166 near diploid, and 2774 triploid. Estrogen synthesis was confirmed by measurement of estradiol (6 to 11 pg/10(7) cells/24 h) by radioimmunoassay in extracts of conditioned medium. To directly assay aromatase enzymatic activity, intact cells were incubated with tritiated testosterone. Medium was extracted with organic solvent after addition of trace 14C-labeled 17 beta-estradiol and 14C-labeled estrone. Androgen was separated from estrogen by celite column chromatography. Estrogen was further purified by silica gel thin-layer chromatography and derivatization of separate products to acetates. Purity of compounds was confirmed by consistency of the 3H:14C ratio of acetylated product versus that of product recrystallized with authentic standard. Conversion of testosterone to estradiol proceeded with apparent Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The apparent Km was 4 microM, 15 microM, and 59 microM, and the Vmax was 20 pmol/h/mg of cell protein, 52 pmol/h/mg of cell protein, and 152 pmol/h/mg of cell protein for 2774, OV166, and OV1225, respectively. We conclude that at least a portion of ovarian adenocarcinoma possesses sufficient aromatase activity to convert ovarian stromal androgen to estrogen.

Hypothalamic-pituitary function following bromocriptine therapy in patients with prolactinomas.

Bromocriptine in a dose of 5 mg daily was given to 18 patients with prolactinomas to promote resumption of menses, to overcome infertility and as a primary treatment for the tumor. Serum prolactin levels fell to within the normal range in 95% of the patients by 12 weeks of therapy. The prolactin response to TRH stimulation was significantly less than before treatment; however, the percent maximum increment was significantly higher. There was no significant change in pituitary reserve of the other hormones. Seven pregnancies occurred during treatment. All the pregnancies have been progressing normally. All patients have already been delivered of healthy babies, including one set of twins. It is suggested that follow-up studies of the various pituitary hormones be conducted on patients on maintenance bromocriptine treatment. In addition, bromocriptine treatment might be used to promote fertility in patients with prolactin-secreting microadenomas.

The relation between obesity and testosterone-estradiol binding globulin levels in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCO).

Serum testosterone-estradiol binding globulin levels (TEBG), total and free testosterone levels, were evaluated in 36 patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCO), and nine volunteers with normal cycles. TEBG concentration was markedly reduced in all PCO patients in comparison to the controls. However, the difference between the means was statistically significant for the obese PCO patients only. The serum free testosterone levels were elevated in all PCO patients, although the total testosterone levels were normal in 42.8% of obese and 13.3% of nonobese patients. It is suggested that obesity is a factor in causing reduction of TEBG levels. Also, it might be a contributory factor in the etiology of PCO.

Plasma levels of oestrone and oestradiol-17beta in postmenopausal women.

The plasma oestrone and oestradiol levels of 34 postmenopausal women were studied and related to various of their other characteristics. The plasma oestrone and oestradiol-17beta levels (Mean +/- SE) were, respectively, 32.09 +/- 4.6 pg/ml and 13.9 +/- 3.1 pg/ml. There was a highly significant negative linear association between the years elapsed since the menopause and oestrone levels (P less than 0.001) and oestradiol levels (P less than 0.02). Both plasma oestrone and oestradiol levels were directly related to weight, but the relation was only significant for oestradiol. A significant positive correlation was found between vaginal bleeding and excess weight. The degree of oestrogenicity of the vaginal smear was directly related to the levels of oestrone (P less than 0.08) and oestradiol (P less than 0.005) and to the degree of endometrial hyperplasia (P less than 0.02).