Relationship between ovarian production of estrone, estradiol, testosterone, and androstenedione and the ovarian degree of stromal hyperplasia in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE

To study the relationship between ovarian production of estrone (E ), estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), and androstenedione (A) and the ovarian degree of stromal hyperplasia in postmenopausal women.

DESIGN

In 18 postmenopausal women, the ovarian vein hormone levels of E1, E2, T, and A were compared with the degree of ovarian stromal hyperplasia. The degree of stromal hyperplasia was assessed by histological analysis (group 1: atrophic ovaries, n = 8; group 2: slight stromal hyperplasia, n = 8; group 3: moderate or severe stromal hyperplasia, n = 2).

RESULTS

The ovarian levels of E1 and E2 did not correlate with the ovarian degree of stromal hyperplasia. The ovarian levels of A in group 3 were significantly higher than those in groups 1 and 2 (p < 0.02 and p < 0.01, respectively). The ovarian levels of T in group 3 were significantly higher than those in group 1 (p < 0.01) but did not differ significantly from those in group 2.

CONCLUSIONS

The amount of stromal hyperplasia in postmenopausal ovaries is correlated with the ovarian vein levels of A and T. Morphological characteristics of the postmenopausal ovary determine the local (pelvic) endocrine status and may play a role in the etiology of hormone-dependent diseases of the internal genitals.