Plasma protein changes induced by two orally administered androgen derivatives.

Epostane is a synthetic 17 alpha-alkylated 5 beta-androstane derivative, active following oral administration and devoid of any apparent androgenic, estrogenic or antiestrogenic potency. Circulating concentrations of 13 different plasma proteins were measured in eight women before and after 2 and 4 weeks of daily oral intake of 600 mg of epostane. The results were compared with those previously found during administration of the same daily dose of danazol, a synthetic 17 alpha-alkylated androgen derivative with known androgenic/anabolic activity.

Relationship between serum testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin in menstruating and postmenopausal women.

The relationship between total testosterone (T), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and calculated non-SHBG-bound testosterone (NST) was studied in randomly collected blood samples from healthy menstruating (n = 61) and postmenopausal (n = 65) women. In 12 of the menstruating women, blood samples were also collected more frequently during the menstrual cycle. Total T and SHBG were positively correlated in menstruating women in random samples as well as during different phases of the menstrual cycle, but not in postmenopausal women.

Decreasing serum levels of sex hormone-binding globulin around the menopause and temporary relation to changing levels of ovarian steroids, as demonstrated in a longitudinal study.

Blood samples collected longitudinally in 17 women over a period of 3 years, starting 11/2 years before the menopause, were assessed for sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), 17 beta-estradiol (E2), progesterone, and total testosterone. A slight (7.2%) decrease in mean SHBG from 4.

Epostane in nonpregnant females: effects on progesterone, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, and 17 beta-estradiol of two dose levels given for one month.

So far, the use of epostane, a relatively new inhibitor of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta 5-delta 4 isomerase enzyme system (3 beta-HSD), has been confined to short-term interference with luteal and placental function. This study explored whether epostane treatment from the beginning of the cycle for approximately 1 month would also inhibit ovarian follicular function. Twenty females with regular cycles received epostane 150 mg/day (ten healthy volunteers) or 600 mg/day (ten patients with endometriosis).