Studies of adrenocortical function of women with hirsutism: Response to 5 units of ACTH

The urinary excretions of total 17-ketosteroids, fractional 17-ketosteroids and 17-hydroxycorticosteroids before, during and following the administration of ACTH to hirsute and nonhirsute women were measured. The mean total 17-ketosteroids were higher for women with hirsutism during all periods. Mean urinary androsterone and 17-hydroxycorticosteroids were higher for the hirsute women during the control periods. However, these values were not significantly different in the 2 groups of women in the infusion and postinfusion periods. The differences between hirsute and nonhirsute women with respect to androgen excretion prior to and following a 5 unit dose of ACTH is discussed.