Relationship between serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and urinary 17-ketosteroid values.

To assess the validity of serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DS) radioimmunoassay instead of urinary total 17-ketosteroid (17-KS) or individual metabolite (dehydroepiandrosterone + etiocholanolone + androsterone; D + E + A) determination to control adrenal androgen function, a comparative study has been performed. Mathematical analysis of simultaneous estimates revealed significant correlation when normal or above normal 17-KS or D + E + A excretion relative to serum DS were considered. Poor correlation was observed when below normal metabolite excretion and serum DS were related. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between estimates of 17-KS (or D + E + A) and those of serum unconjugated D also determined by radioimmunoassay. The serum DS radioimmunoassay appeared to be a reliable tool to assess adrenal androgen function, at least in patients exhibiting normal or high 17-ketosteroid values.