01 Oct
Serum 17-alpha-OHP is characteristically elevated in those cases of congenital adrenal hyperplasia which are due to 21- or 11-hydroxylase deficiency. The block in the glucocorticoid pathway results in an accumulation of 17-alpha-OHP and an inhibition of cortisol formation. Adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) production increases in response to the cortisol deficiency, which in turn, enhances the formation of adrenal androgens.