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C₁₉-steroids, testosterone and oestrogen production rates have been measured simultaneously by urinary isotope dilution in a group of 18 patients with polycystic ovaries and in two normal women.

The production of total C₁₉-steroids remained high in seven patients under dexamethasone suppression, suggesting a major ovarian contribution. In eight it did not remain high, suggesting a major adrenal contribution.

The rate of testosterone production was usually normal under dexamethasone. The rate of oestrogen production was not subnormal and even occasionally raised.

Ovarian wedge resection produced a good clinical response in 75% of the observations, and C₁₉-steroid production fell. The latter was not so evident if there was no clinical response. Testosterone production was usually reduced. Oestrogen production rate changed irregularly.

Administration of human pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone caused a concurrent increase in C₁₉-steroids, testosterone and oestrogen production in four out of five patients.

The inadequacy of the urinary isotope dilution technique, in attempting to measure testosterone secretion and interconversion of testosterone and androstenedione in these patients, has been stressed and discussed.

Some correlations have been established with direct observations on ovarian steroid metabolism in certain patients reported elsewhere.