Abstract
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.
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Fehér, T., Koref, O., Szendrői, Z. et al. Androgen metabolites in blood of patients with prostatic carcinoma. International Urology and Nephrology 2, 163–169 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02125817
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02125817