Plasma androgens in women.

were .34 \m=+-\.24 \g=m\g/100ml, 50.9 \m=+-\28.3 \g=m\g/100ml and 31.4 \m=+-\19.4 \g=m\g/100ml respectively, all significantly higher than levels found in normal women. In all, but 3 cases, testosterone values were above the 2-sigma range of normal women in contrast to the frequent overlapping observed for conjugated DHEA and androsterone. 2. HCG stimulation led to a significant rise in the mean value of testosterone (.61 \m=+-\.22 \g=m\g/100ml) but little change was seen in those of the conjugates. 3. While dexamethasone caused a marked decrease of testosterone in only 2 patients, it led to a pronounced fall in DHEA values and a lesser but significant drop in androsterone concentrations in most patients. 4. In patients with a unilateral polycystic or with bilateral polycystic ovaries but without hirsutism or virilism similar values were noted.