Autoantibody against testosterone in a woman with hypergonadotropic hypogonadism

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1998 Jan;83(1):14-6. doi: 10.1210/jcem.83.1.4510.

Abstract

We demonstrate that antitestosterone autoantibody is produced in a 24-yr-old woman with hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. The serum testosterone level measured by RIA was extremely elevated (5.80 ng/mL); after elution, serum testosterone had returned to a normal female value (0.21 ng/mL). The clinical features were suggestive of no androgen activity. Primary follicles were present in the patent's ovary. After gonadotropin treatment, conception was achieved, and a normal female infant was delivered. A gel filtration study showed that the testosterone-binding activity was eluted at the position of 15,000-kDa Ig. Scatchard analysis revealed a low affinity antibody; the association constant was 0.034 x 10(3) mol-1, and the maximal binding capacity was 162 mumol/mL. An immunoprecipitation study the chain-specific antibodies showed that the antitestosterone autoantibody belonged to kappa-type IgG. This subject is the first reported case with an endocrine disorder who possessed autoantibodies against testosterone.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Autoantibodies / blood*
  • Female
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone / blood*
  • Humans
  • Hypogonadism / blood
  • Hypogonadism / immunology*
  • Hypogonadism / pathology
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infertility, Female / etiology*
  • Karyotyping
  • Luteinizing Hormone / blood*
  • Male
  • Menotropins / therapeutic use*
  • Ovarian Follicle / pathology
  • Ovulation / drug effects
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Radioimmunoassay
  • Testosterone / blood*
  • Testosterone / immunology*

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Testosterone
  • Menotropins
  • Luteinizing Hormone
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone