In vivo endocrine studies in adrenal rest tumor of ovary

Radioimmunoassay of several plasma steroids and gonadotropins and routine urinary steroid analyses were performed on a patient before during and after removal of an ovarian adrenal rest tumor. Follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone were low but testosterone, 5α-dihydrotestosterone, progesterone, 17α OH-progesterone, and Δ⁴-androstenedione were markedly elevated prior to surgery. Urinary 17 ketosteroids were slightly elevated and did not decrease during treatment with dexa methasone although urinary 17 hydroxycortico-steroids, plasma cortisol, and plasma dehydro-epiandrosterone did suppress. The elevated plasma steroids were significantly lowered after tumor excision, and the patient, once amcnor rhelc, now has normal, ovulatory menstrual cycles.