The present report deals with the concentrations of
C-21, C-19 and C-18
steroids as well as
steroid glucuronides, namely androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol
glucuronide,
androsterone glucuronide,
estradiol glucuronide, and
estrone glucuronide (E1-G) in
breast cyst fluid (BCF). The concentration of the gross
breast cystic disease protein 15 (GCDFP-15) was also measured and its value was correlated with concentrations of unconjugated
steroids as well as
steroid conjugates. The present data indicate that for a large number of unconjugated
steroids (namely
pregnenolone,
progesterone,
dehydroepiandrosterone (
DHEA),
androsterone,
androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol,
estrone and
estradiol) there is an important accumulation in BCF. Our data permit us to demonstrate a statistical relationship between the concentrations of
DHEA and its metabolites (namely,
androstenedione [4-ene-Dione]), thus suggesting an activity of the
enzyme 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-4-ene-5-ene-isomerase in the breast tissue. Further examination of the relationship between the concentrations of 4-ene-Dione and its metabolites, namely
testosterone and 5 alpha-reduced
steroid metabolites, as well as their
glucuronide derivatives, strongly suggests that the metabolism of
androgens in the breast tissue occurs mainly via
5 alpha-reductase and glucuronyl
transferase activities. The concentration of GCDFP-15 in BCF found in the present investigation was 2745 +/- 234 micrograms/ml and we have shown that a negative relationship exists in the BCF between E1-G and GCDFP-15 levels.