Correlations of basal oestrogens with adrenal androgens and relative weight in normal women.

Serum levels of androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate, cortisol, oestrone, and oestradiol are studied in 24 normal young women, and variation in basal oestrogen levels is examined in relation to adrenal androgen levels and relative weight. Between subjects no positive correlation is found between adrenal androgen levels or relative weight and basal oestrogen. Within subjects changes in adrenal androgen levels are positively correlated with changes in basal oestrogens. The results suggest that the basal oestrogen setpoint within each individual is unaffected by weight differences in the normal range, while variation about the setpoint within individuals may accompany fluctuations in adrenal androgen levels. This conclusion is discussed in relation to previous suggestions that relative weight, through an effect on extragonadal oestrogen production, may have an influence on female fecundity.