Combined dexamethasone and human chorionic gonadotropin in diagnosis of polycystic ovarian disease

Two hirsute females were studied by means of selective tests of ovarian and adrenal suppression and stimulation before and after bilateral ovarian wedge resection. Ovarian tissue obtained from one of the patients and incubated with 7ɑ-³H-progesterone and 4-¹⁴C-DHEA indicated the predominant production of androgens with little radioactivity in the phenolic fraction. In each patient, the ovaries were the apparent source of androgen, as evidenced by the response to HCG in conjunction with adrenal suppression. The rise in androgen production with ovarian stimulation was not seen after bilateral ovarian wedge resection. The implications of these tests are discussed.