Radioimmunoassay of 11 beta-hydroxyandrostenedione in laboratory diagnostics of selected endocrine disorders.

A specific radioimmunoassay of 11 beta-hydroxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione, an androgen of exclusively adrenal origin, is described and evaluated. The antiserum was raised in rabbits using 6 beta,11 beta-dihydroxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione-6 beta-hemisuccinate:bovine serumalbumin conjugate as an immunogen. The method has been used for determination of the plasma levels of the hormone in healthy subjects, including children, with regard to the possibility its use as a laboratory marker for monitoring corticoid therapy in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia and in patients with various endocrine disorders, under basal conditions and after dynamic tests. The plasma levels of 11 beta-hydroxyandrostenedione (means +/- s.d.) in healthy persons at 8 a.m. were 8.69 +/- 2.88 (men), 7.72 +/- 2.85 (women), 8.73 +/- 5.13 (boys) and 7.88 +/- 5.23 (girls) nmol/l, respectively. The hormone concentrations followed the pattern of circadian rhythm of cortisol, they were increased markedly after corticotropin and suppressed by dexamethasone.