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Combining a simple chromatographic system on celite microcolumns with specific antisera as binding reagents, simultaneous radioimmunoassay of pregnenolone (5Δ-P), 17-hydroxypregnenolone (17-5Δ-P), and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) could be performed on the same aliquot of plasma. These steroids have been measured in plasma samples obtained from subjects of both sexes under various conditions. The plasma levels of 5Δ-P, 17-5Δ-P, and DHEA were found to be within the same range when 12 prepubertal boys and 15 men were studied. The mean levels of these steroids were respectively: 1.57, 0.95, and 1.2 ng/ml in prepubertal boys and 0.88, 0.73, and 1.82 in adult men. Six premenopausal women were studied during a complete menstrual cycle. Comparing the levels of 5Δ-P, 17-5Δ-P, and DHEA during the follicular and luteal phases showed no significant difference between these two phases of the cycle. However, plasma 5Δ-P was found to be significantly elevated in the luteal phase when the mean follicular and luteal levels of these steroids were used and comparison was made for all six subjects. There was a significant between-individual variation in the six premenopausal subjects studied for plasma DHEA with mean follicular levels ranging from 2.82 to 7.78 ng/ml. Plasma DHEA levels were significantly lower in prepubertal girls than in premenopausal subjects. Fifteen postmenopausal women had mean plasma levels of 2.7, 0.45, and 1.8 ng/ml respectively for 5Δ-P, 17-5Δ-P, and DHEA. Compared to the premenopausal subjects as a group, the postmenopausal women had significantly lower levels of plasma 17-5Δ-P and DHEA.
Abraham et al. (1973) studied this question.