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  • Title: [Origin, variations and physiological role of steroid hormones during the menstrual cycle].
    Author: Bercovici JP.
    Journal: Nouv Presse Med; 1973 Jan 13; 2(2):103-9. PubMed ID: 4685762.
    Abstract:
    The biosynthesis of specific steroids by the theca, granulosa, corpus luteum (CL), and stroma of the human ovary, and their roles in the menstrual cycle and in ovarian disorders are reviewed in detail. Before luteinization, the theca interna and granulosa are separated by a lamina propria. The theca of the Graafian follicle synthesizes estradiol-17beta and 17-hydroxyprogesterone. The granulosa secretes progesterone after the CL is formed. The ovarian stroma releases the androgens dihydroepiandrosterone, androstenedione, and testosterone as well as lesser amounts of estrogens. During the cycle, estradiol rises from 50 pg/ml to 250-400 pg/ml at the preovulatory peak, and remains moderately high until menstruation. 40% of plasma estrone derives from peripheral conversion of androstenedione and estradiol; 50% comes from the adrenal. Hydroxyprogesterone increases from 2 ng/ml in late follicular phase to 1.6 ng/ml at the ovulatory peak and in luteal phase. Progesterone plateaus at 8-10 ng/ml in luteal phase. The physiology of androgens is complicated by the fact that only free testosterone, converted locally to dihydrotestosterone, is androgenic. Premenstrual syndrome, short luteal phase, and polycystic ovarian dystrophy are increasing degrees of low LH, limited FSH (invariant in polycystic ovary), resulting in low estradiol and hydroxyprogesterone. There is no qualitative difference in ovarian biochemical capability in polycystic ovary, but androgen synthesis by stroma overshadows the deficient estrogens.
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