THE RELATIONSHIP OF SEX STEROIDS TO URIC ACID LEVELS IN PLASMA AND URINE

The effect of endogenous and exogenously administered oestrogens, androgens and progesterone on plasma and urinary uric acid and uric acid clearance was studied in a total of 65 healthy volunteers, including normal menstruating and post-menopausal women, girls with primary amenorrhoea and adult male subjects. A serial study throughout a full cycle in 3 women showed an inverse relationship between plasma uric and synthetic oestrogens produced a fall in plasma uric acid concentration through a uricosuric effect in most subjects of both sexes. Testosterone propionate caused a definite increase in plasma uric acid levels in post-menopausal women while endogenous testosterone changes due to Leydig cell stimulation produced no definite effect in male subjects. Administration of a progesterone preparation produced an effect similar to that of oestrogens in post-menopausal women. The evidence presented here supports ithe view that sex steroids play a significant part in uric acid regulation in biological fluids of both sexes.