The Relation between Plasma Androstenedione, Plasma Oestrone and Androstenedione to Oestrone Conversion Rates in Postmenopausal Women with and without Fractures

1. Plasma androstenedione, plasma oestrone and the conversion of plasma androstenedione into oestrone were measured in 19 post-menopausal women without fractures (six of them oophorectomized) and 18 with vertebral or femoral neck fractures (four of them oophorectomized).

2. In the series as a whole, the main determinant of the plasma oestrone level was the plasma androstenedione concentration. Only in the small oophorectomized group did the variation in conversion rate make a significant contribution to the variation in plasma oestrone.

3. The conversion rates were not different as between non-fracture and fracture cases but the mean plasma androstenedione and oestrone concentrations were lower (though not significantly) in the latter.