[Hormonal changes in fertile women with quiescent systemic lupus erythematosus].

The hypophyseal-adrenal-ovarian axis was studied in 29 women of childbearing age with systemic lupus erythematosus, as well as in a control group of 14 healthy women. Hormonal levels were measured on days 7th and 21st of menstrual cycle. Women with systemic lupus erythematosus had not significatively lower testosterone levels, but progesterone and 17-alfa-hydroxiprogesterone levels were markedly lower when compared to controls. These facts suggest a decrease in progesterone levels, which could act as a predisposing factor for lupic disease.