Plasma concentrations of C-19 steroids, estrogens, FSH, LH and prolactin in post-menopausal women with an without breast cancer.

The plasma levels of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, testosterone, delta 5-androstene-3 beta-17 beta-diol, delta 4-androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone, estrone, estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and prolactin were measured in normal post-menopausal women and in post-menopausal women with proven breast cancer. The mean prolactin level was significantly higher (p less than 0.01) and the mean 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone level lower (p less than 0.05) for the women the breast cancer. There were no significant differences for any of the other hormones. As well, there were no significant differences for the extent of binding of testosterone and delta 5-androstene-3 beta, 17 beta-diol to plasma proteins between the two groups of subjects.