CONVERSION IN VIVO OF DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE SULFATE TO TESTOSTERONE AND TESTOSTERONE GLUCURONIDE AS REFLECTED IN URINARY TESTOSTERONE GLUCURONIDE

The contribution of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate to testosterone as reflected in urinary testosterone glucuronide, was quantified in normal males and females, patients with the Stein-Leventhal syndrome, ovariectomized patients and one virilized patient. No differences among these groups were found, suggesting that this conversion is not important in the etiology of the Stein-Leventhal syndrome, and that the ovary does not contribute significantly to this conversion in vivo. The conversions of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate to testosterone glucuronide were also quantified. The results suggest that the major portion of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate which is converted to urinary testosterone glucuronide does not pass through the plasma testosterone pool.The recent observations of other investigators are consistent with this view. © 1968.