EFFECT OF METYRAPONE ON THE EXCRETION OF OESTROGEN IN MAN

• Published in: Journal of endocrinology Vol. 40; no. 2; pp. 253 - 254
• Main Authors: Argüelles, A E, Martí, H, Saborida, C, Poggi, U L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.02.1968
• Subjects: Adrenal Glands - enzymology; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone - metabolism; Estradiol - urine; Estriol - urine; Estrogens - biosynthesis; Estrone - urine; Humans; Laurence-Moon Syndrome - urine; Luteinizing Hormone - metabolism; Male; Metyrapone - pharmacology; Mixed Function Oxygenases - antagonists & inhibitors; SHORT COMMUNICATIONS; Testis - metabolism
• ISSN: 0022-0795; 1479-6805
• DOI: 10.1677/joe.0.0400253

Hydroxylation at the angular C-19 methyl group is thought to be a necessary step for the biosynthesis of oestrogens since it is the first stage of aromatization (Meyer, 1955; Ryan, 1959). Griffiths (1963) found that the dose of metyrapone which produced an inhibition of 11β-hydroxylase activity in the adrenal of the golden hamster also produced a decrease in the activity of the 19-hydroxylase. This indicated the use of metyrapone as an inhibitor of oestrogen biosynthesis. Földes, Koref, Fehér & Steczek (1964) suggested that metyrapone affects the adrenal and the ovary; they reported a decrease in the excretion of oestrone, 17β-oestradiol and oestriol with a particularly marked decrease of the oestradiol fraction, both on the day of treatment and on the day after. The same authors refer to a simultaneous increase of androsterone and aetiocholanolone originating possibly from androst-4-ene-3,17-dione, the concentration of which may increase with the decreased formation of 19