The Corticotrophin Releasing Factor Test: A Valuable and Rapid Procedure for the Differential Diagnosis of Hirsutism

Abstract

Plasma concentrations of adrenocorticotrophic hormone, Cortisol, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone, Δ⁴-androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate were determined in 10 regularly menstruating hirsute women 0, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after intravenous injection of 100 μg corticotrophin releasing factor. The baseline concentrations of adrenocorticotrophic hormone, Cortisol, progesterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate were within the normal range, whereas the mean Δ⁴-androstenedione and testosterone concentrations were mildly elevated. The administration of corticotrophin releasing factor induced a rapid and significant increase in plasma concentrations of adrenocorticotrophic hormone, Cortisol, 17-hydroxyprogesterone and Δ⁴-androstenedione after 60 min, whereas dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and testosterone concentrations were not significantly elevated. These findings suggest that the corticotrophin releasing factor test can readily be used as an out-patient procedure to exclude adrenal hirsutism.