17? OHP – 17 Hydroxyprogesterone

The steroid 17??OH Progesterone is produced by the adrenal cortex and gonads. The 17??OH Progesterone has little progestational activity, but it is of intense clinical interest because it is the immediate precursor to 11-desoxycortisol (Cpd-S). Cpd-S?is produced by 21-hydroxylation of 17?OHP, measurement of 17aOHP is a useful indirect indicator of 21-hydroxlase activity. In congenital 21? hydroxylase deficiency, the most common variety of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), 17?OHP is secreted in abundant excess. Measurment of 17?OHP is therefore valuable in the initial diagnosis of?CAH.