Elevated intravesicular fluid luteinizing hormone concentration in hydatidiform mole

Concentrations of human chorionic gonadotrophin (beta-hCG), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and prolactin (PRL) were measured by radioimmunoassay in the serious fluid of hydatid vesicles obtained from 27 patients with hydatidiform mole. High amounts of all four hormones were found in every case. The mean concentrations +/- SEM were 710.8 +/- 100.8 i.u./1 X 10(-3) for beta-hCG, 13.8 +/- 0.3 i.u./1 for FSH, 302.2 +/- 34.5 i.u./1 X 10(-3) for LH and 2610.8 +/- 562.1 m-i.u./1 for PRL. It is suggested that aberrations in the mechanisms controlling the synthesis and release of luteinizing hormone-releasing factor (LH-RF) could result in chronically elevated LH levels leading to changes characteristic of the disease.     

Suppression of gonadotrophin secretion does not reverse premature ovarian failure

Summary. The effect of prolonged inhibition of gonadotrophin secretion was studied in 12 women with premature ovarian failure. All the patients had plasma concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) >20 i.u./l, and in six, primordial follicles had been seen on ovarian biopsy. Goserelin (Zoladex, ICI), a depot synthetic analogue of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) was administered by three consecutive 4-weekly injections. Plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) fell from 34 (SD ll) i.u./l to 2·4 (SD 1·9)i.u./l, and plasma concentrations of FSH fell from 106 (SD29) i.u./l to 4·5 (SD 2·6) i.u./l 4 weeks after the first injection. Plasma concentrations of gonadotrophins returned to pretreatment values in every patient within 9 weeks of the final injection of goserelin. Regular ultrasonography during the period following the final injection failed to demonstrate the development of ovarian follicles in any patient, and plasma concentrations of oestradiol remained below 100 pmol/l. This study has failed to show that suppression of gonadotrophin secretion reverses premature ovarian failure.     

Suppression of gonadotrophin secretion does not reverse premature ovarian failure

The effect of prolonged inhibition of gonadotrophin secretion was studied in 12 women with premature ovarian failure. All the patients had plasma concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) greater than 20 i.u./l, and in six, primordial follicles had been seen on ovarian biopsy. Goserelin (Zoladex, ICI), a depot synthetic analogue of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) was administered by three consecutive 4-weekly injections. Plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) fell from 34 (SD 11) i.u./l to 2.4 (SD 1.9) i.u./l, and plasma concentrations of FSH fell from 106 (SD 29) i.u./l to 4.5 (SD 2.6) i.u./l 4 weeks after the first injection. Plasma concentrations of gonadotrophins returned to pretreatment values in every patient within 9 weeks of the final injection of goserelin. Regular ultrasonography during the period following the final injection failed to demonstrate the development of ovarian follicles in any patient, and plasma concentrations of oestradiol remained below 100 pmol/l. This study has failed to show that suppression of gonadotrophin secretion reverses premature ovarian failure.     

Determination with Hi-Gonavis of luteinizing hormome levels in urine compared with those in plasma

Summary. Hi-Gonavis, an immunological luteinizing hormone/human chorionic gonadotrophin (LH/hCG) test kit, was used to measure the periovulatory LH excretion in the urine of 25 patients over two cycles. The LH plasma level was simultaneously determined by radioimmunoassay. The lower detection limit of Hi-Gonavis is 12.5 i.u. of LH/l of urine. Urinary LH levels of 50 i.u./l were associated with plasma levels of at least 12 i.u./l. Such values were found usually on the day before the mid-cycle peak of LH. The pre-ovulatory increasing plasma LH levels correlated closely with the urinary values. The urinary LH level reflects that in plasma; the Hi-Gonavis method can be used to predict the occurrence of ovulation.     

The serum pregnancy-specific β1-glycoprotein to betahuman chorionic gonadotrophin ratio as an index of prognosis in patients with choriocarcinoma

Summary. The ratio of serum pregnancy-specific β₁-glycoprotein (SP1) to the β-subunit of human chorionic gonadotrophin (β-hCG) before and after chemotherapy was measured in 12 patients with metastatic choriocarcinoma. The ratios before chemotherapy ranged between 0^.03 and 0^.75, with a mean value of 0^.34 (SD 0^.21). The ratio increased to over 1^.0 (1^.05–53^.3) after one or two courses of chemotherapy in seven of the 12 patients. These women achieved complete remission. In the other five patients who died of the disease due to drug resistance of the tumour, the ratio after chemotherapy was low (0^.04–0^.74) and tended to decline. These data suggest that the serum SPl/β-hCG ratio can be used to predict the prognosis of patients with choriocarcinoma.     

Relationships between circulating leptin concentrations and other hormonal parameters in obese and non-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Aim: To clarify the role of leptin in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), we analyzed whether serum leptin levels correlate with other hormonal parameters in obese and non-obese women with PCOS.
Methods: We studied 20 obese (body mass index, BM ≥25 kg/m²) and 20 non-obese (BMI <25 kg/m²) women with PCOS diagnosed by the existence of menstrual disturbance, elevated serum level of luteinizing hormone (LH) with normal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and the characteristic polycystic appearance of the ovaries on transvaginal ultrasound images. Blood samples for LH, FSH, estradiol, testosterone (T), androstenedione (Δ₄) and leptin were obtained, and the relationships between variables were examined by calculating Spearman correlation coefficients.
Results: Mean levels of leptin, T and Δ₄ in obese PCOS women were significantly higher than those in non-obese PCOS women, but this was not the case for BMI, bodyweight and waist to hip ratio. In all the 40 PCOS women considered together, there were significant positive correlations of leptin with BMI, waist to hip ratio, and Δ₄ levels. However, in each group separately, serum leptin levels in obese PCOS women correlated only with BMI and bodyweight, whereas serum leptin levels in non-obese PCOS women correlated with serum A4 levels.
Conclusion: Although further study is needed to assess the role of leptin on ovarian function in non-obese women with PCOS, present findings do not support the fact that leptin is involved in the development of hormonal abnormalities in obese women with PCOS. (Reprod Med Biol 2002; 1 : 49–54)     

Danazol stimulates the release of follicle-stimulating hormone and inhibits the release of prolactin in vitro studies on rat pituitary cell cultures

Summary The actions of danazol on the release of gonadotropins and prolactin (PRL) were investigated by using a culture of rat anterior pituitary gland cells. The addition of danazol in the range between 10^–9M and 10^–5M elevated the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in a dose-dependent manner. Danazol at 10^–5M caused a 70% increase in FSH levels over the control. The intracellular contents of FSH was also increased by danazol, suggesting its stimulatory effect on both the synthesis and release of FSH. Danazol had no effect on the release of luteinizing hormone (LH). Danazol diminished the sensitivity of gonadotrophs to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) in that the LHRH-induced release of both FSH and LH was suppressed. The amount of PRL released into medium was decreased by danazol in a dose-dependent way.     

Pituitary response to LHRH in midtrimester pregnancy.

The effects of lutenizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) on serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (PRL), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and growth hormone (GH) were studied in 10 women in the second trimester of pregnancy. Serum LH was measured using the LHbeta-RIA, with the anti-betaLH serum being preabsorbed with purified hCG. This assay was unaffected by hCG levels up to 500 IU/ml. Basal serum levels of LH was undetectable and basal FSH levels were low in these 10 women. No release of LH or FSH was observed after administration of 100 microgram of LHRH. However, there was a statistically significant rise in PRL from mean basal levels of 139.9 ng/ml to a mean peak level of 159.0 ng/ml at 30 minutes after LHRH administration. Both TSH and GH displayed small elevations at 15 minutes after LHRH administration; however, these elevations were not significant because of the wide range in responses. The results of this study indicate that gonadotropin release is inhibited during the second trimester of pregnancy. Finally, it appears that pregnancy is a condition in which LHRH administration results in a nonspecific release of several hormones.     

Gonadotropin secretion before and during acute and chronic dopamine-receptor blockade in insulin-dependent diabetic patients with amenorrhea

The dopaminergic influence on luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and prolactin (PRL) was studied in 12 diabetic patients with amenorrhea (DMAM) and in 10 normal menstruating diabetic patients (DM). DMAM patients had a reduction in LH pulsatility (P less than 0.05) and basal LH levels (P less than 0.02), compared with DM patients, whereas they had an LH and FSH response to intravenous metoclopramide (MTC) at 30, 45, and 60 minutes and at 30 minutes, respectively (P less than 0.05). Basal (P less than 0.05) and MTC-stimulated (P less than 0.05) PRL levels were lower in DMAM than in DM patients. Serum PRL and FSH increased significantly (P less than 0.02) in six DMAM patients during 10 weeks of oral MTC administration, whereas no significant (P greater than 0.05) alterations occurred in serum LH and estradiol levels. These data point toward increased dopaminergic activity in DMAM patients.     

Acute effects of bromocriptine on gonadotropin secretion in polycystic ovary syndrome

Thirty-two women presenting with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO) were studied on 3 consecutive days. On day 1, plasma androstenedione, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA sulfate (DHEA-S), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), estrone (E1), estradiol, serum prolactin (PRL), and PRL response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone were determined. On day 2 the patients were given two placebos at 1-hour intervals; then serum PRL, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and the LH and FSH responses to LH-releasing hormone (LH-RH) were determined. On day 3 the patients were given two 2.5-mg tablets of bromocriptine (BRCR) at 12-hour intervals; then serum PRL, LH, and FSH and the LH and FSH responses to LH-RH were again determined. After BRCR, mean values of basal serum PRL (P less than 0.001), LH (P less than 0.05), and FSH (P less than 0.001) and the FSH response to LH-RH (P less than 0.01) fell with respect to the values determined on day 2. Our group of patients was heterogeneous regarding the effects of BRCR upon the LH response to LH-RH. Of 32 women undergoing the trial, 17 did not respond to BRCR (change of the LH response to LH-RH less than 33% with respect to day 2). They were called "nonresponders." Among the 15 who responded to BRCR, 10 decreased their LH response greater than or equal to 33% ("decreasers") and 5 increased their LH response greater than or equal to 33% ("increasers"). Decreasers had mean values of serum PRL, plasma E1, DHEA-S, and 17-OHP higher than nonresponders (P less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

A study of prolactin, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone in puerperium: spontaneous variations and the effect of metergoline

In 80 normal puerperae, serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), including human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG/LH), and prolactin (PRL) levels were evaluated 6 to 29 hours after vaginal delivery. In these puerperae, PRL levels were higher and FSH levels were lower than in menstruating women; hCG/LH levels were very high, due to persisting hCG levels. The values of the three hormones showed a log-normal distribution, and no relationship was found between the three hormones considered in pairs. Thirty-six puerperae chosen from the above 80 were followed during a 5-day period: 24 were not able to breast-feed their babies and were treated with metergoline, an antiserotoninergic agent able to prevent puerperal lactation, 8 or 12 mg/day; 12 additional puerperae, nursing their babies, were evaluated as controls. In lactating women PRL and FSH levels remained steady during the observation period, while hCG/LH levels progressively decreased. Metergoline lowered PRL levels, when employed at both dosages, and FSH levels only at the higher dosage, without affecting the decline of hCG/LH levels. Since dopaminergic drugs are known to lower serum LH levels and not to affect or to increase FSH levels, our data indicate that metergoline might act through a mechanism of action different from dopaminergic drugs.     

Depressed follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and prolactin responses to the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone, thyrotropin-releasing hormone, and metoclopramide test in endurance runners in the hard-training season

The responses of serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) and the responses of prolactin (PRL) to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and metoclopramide (MC) were measured in the late luteal phase of the cycle in 12 endurance runners and 11 control women and in 12 joggers and 7 control women. LH-RH (100 micrograms) and TRH (200 micrograms) were injected intravenously at the beginning of the test, and MC (10 mg) was injected 60 minutes later. Blood samples were obtained before and 20, 60, 80, and 120 minutes after the beginning of the test. Runners had significantly lower serum concentrations of estradiol and progesterone than control subjects, whereas the concentrations of FSH, LH, and PRL were similar at the beginning of the study. Compared with their controls, the runners had significantly lower FSH (P less than 0.05) and LH responses at 20 minutes (P less than 0.05) and lower LH responses at 80 minutes (P less than 0.01) to LH-RH and lower PRL responses to MC 20 minutes after MC injection (P less than 0.05). Joggers and their control subjects had similar LH, FSH, and PRL responses to these pharmacologic stimuli. It is concluded that decreased ovarian activity explains, at least partly, the lowered responses of FSH and LH to LH-RH and the lowered response of PRL to MC in endurance runners.     

Effects of short-term hyperprolactinemia on the endocrine reproductive system in male rabbits

We have systematically studied the effects of short-term hyperprolactinemia on reproductive function in male rabbits. Purified ovine prolactin (PRL) was administered intravenously, as bolus injections or by constant infusion, to unanesthetized animals bearing two chronically implanted Silastic catheters; blood samples were obtained via the second catheter. Short-term hyperprolactinemia did not modify serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations in either castrated or intact rabbits. However, in spite of no changes in LH and FSH, short-term PRL administration lowered the serum testosterone (T) in intact animals. Furthermore, while PRL had no effect on the LH and FSH response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone, it did inhibit the testicular secretion of T in response to the increased endogenous LH. PRL also inhibited human chorionic gonadotropin-stimulated T secretion by the testes. All of these studies indicate that PRL interferes with the testicular response to LH. The fact that LH and FSH did not rise in response to the lowered T in intact animals suggested that PRL also altered the steroid feedback control of LH and FSH secretion. To assess this, PRL or saline was repeatedly injected after castration. PRL prevented the postcastration rise in LH and FSH. These studies indicate that PRL acts at at least two sites in the reproductive system in rabbits: (1) directly at a gonadal level by interfering with gonadotropin action and (2) at a hypothalamic-pituitary central level by preventing the expected rise in gonadotropins in response to low gonadal steroids.     

Immunohistochemical localization of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, growth hormone, adrenocorticotrophic hormone and prolactin in the human placenta

The sites of localization of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), growth hormone (GH), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and prolactin (PRL) within placental tissues have been studied by an immunoperoxidase technique. The syncytiotrophoblast is the sole significant site of localization of LH, FSH, GH and ACTH; PRL is found both in syncytiotrophoblast and in decidual cells. It is highly probable that the sites of localization of these peptide hormones represents their sites of synthesis in the placenta and thus that the syncytiotrophoblast is the sole site of synthesis of LH, FSH, LH and ACTH. PRL appears to be synthesized both in syncytiotrophoblast and decidua, but the latter is probably not the major site of synthesis of this hormone. Whether these placental peptide hormones have any physiological role to play during pregnancy or whether the placental capacity to synthesize such hormones is an atavistic phenomenon of no functional importance is currently a moot point.     

153例月经过少患者的性激素检测结果分析

目的:通过了解月经过少患者性激素情况,为临床诊疗提供重要参考。方法:对153例月经过少患者的性激素即雌二醇(E_2)、睾酮(T)、催乳素(PRL)、促黄体生成激素(LH)、促卵泡激素(FSH)、孕酮(P)等结果进行回顾性分析。结果:实验组与对照组比较,PRL结果的差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),LH、E_2、P、T、FSH结果的差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。但有24例(15.7%)的患者E_2检测结果低于正常对照的下限;有28例(18.3%)的患者T检测结果比正常对照上限高。结论:性激素检测结果对月经过少的的诊治有重要意义。     

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) selectively stimulates prolactin release in healthy women

The neuropeptide, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), is released from the hypothalamus to the portal circulation, and experiments on animals provide evidence that it might modulate hormone secretion from the pituitary. Here we report the effects of VIP on the release of different pituitary hormones, including prolactin (PRL), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TSH), in normal women. Seven healthy women (aged 27-32; body weight 53-60 kg), with normal menses and receiving no medication, were tested on days 20-23 of their cycle. Porcine VIP was injected i.v. as a bolus dose of 1 mcg/kg body weight. Blood samples were collected 10 minutes prior to VIP administration and 5, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 90 minutes after VIP injection. Blood pressure and heart rate were continuously monitored. Hormone levels were determined by RIA. Stress, which can stimulate PRL release, was assayed by measuring the effect of placebo on hormone release (5 controls). VIP injection induced a significant (p less than 0.01) increase in plasma PRL levels. Basal PRL was 20.25 +/- 9.14 ng/ml; 5 minutes after VIP injection PRL levels rose to 45.0 +/- 14.9 ng/ml (p less than 0.01). At 15 minutes a plateau was reached (46.0 +/- 14.5 ng/ml), then the levels slowly decreased. VIP administration did not modify the plasma concentration of LH, FSH or TSH at any time during the observation period. The present study indicates that VIP might play a physiological role as a RPL-releasing factor in human beings.     

Studies on the measurement and pharmacodynamics of human follicle-stimulating hormone

The levels of immunoreactive follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), cortisol, and estradiol (E2) have been determined in serial samples of peripheral plasma from four subjects during the continuous, subcutaneous administration of Buserelin (Hoechst [UK] Ltd., Hounslow, UK) (250 micrograms/day) and after the intramuscular injection of purified, urinary FSH (Metrodin, Serono Laboratories [UK] Ltd., Welwyn Garden City, UK) (150 IU). During Buserelin administration the geometric mean levels of FSH and LH as measured by immunoradiometric assay were reduced by 87% and 37%, respectively, when compared with the corresponding values for days 1 and 2 of the menstrual cycle. After the intramuscular injection of FSH, peak levels (from 3.4 to 6.2 IU/l) occurred in peripheral plasma between 6 and 18 hours later. The levels were significantly elevated after 72 hours (P less than 0.01, Student's paired t-test). There was no obvious effect of the drugs on the circadian rhythms of plasma PRL or cortisol, and no significant effect on the circulatory levels of LH or E2.     

The influence of latent hyperprolactinaemia on the levels of LH, FSH, E2 and T in the midfollicular phase of the cycle

The metoclopramide test for latent hyperprolactinaemia was done on 174 randomly chosen infertile women in the midfollicular phase of the cycle. 54 women had latent hyperprolactinaemia which was defined as a PRL level of at least 150 ng/ml after metoclopramide. Just before the metoclopramide was given, blood was taken to measure the levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), 17-β estradiol (E2) and total testosteron (T). Women with latent hyperprolactinaemia had significantly lower levels of LH (p < 0.01) and E2 (p < 0.001) and higher levels of T (p < 0.05) in the midfollicular phase when compared with women without this condition. FSH levels showed no statistically significant difference. Received: 29 March 1996 / Accepted: 5 August 1996     

Pulsatile secretion of gonadotropins and prolactin during the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle: analysis of instantaneous secretion rate and secretory concomitance.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the pulsatile secretions of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and prolactin (PRL) during the menstrual cycle and to statistically evaluate their secretory concomitance. DESIGN: Pulsatility study performed during the midfollicular and midluteal phases of a same menstrual cycle, blood samples being collected every 10 minutes for 6 hours. SETTING: Participants investigated in the Division of Endocrinology, University Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Nine healthy women (22 to 38 years) with regular menstrual cycles. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Plasma LH, FSH, and PRL values were analyzed as raw and deconvoluted data, and the specific (nonrandom) secretory concomitance was evaluated statistically. RESULTS: The pulsatile secretion of LH was confirmed, and that of FSH and PRL was clearly established during both phases of the cycle by characterization of peak frequency, period, and amplitude. A specific secretory concomitance was assessed between LH and FSH in the follicular but not the luteal phase, and a tight concomitance between LH and PRL was demonstrated during both phases. CONCLUSIONS: These results are supportive of significant pulsatile secretions of the three hormones during the menstrual cycle, and they are demonstrative of a definite copulsatility of these hormones, suggestive of common regulatory factors in the complex temporal patterns of gonadotropin and PRL secretions along the cycle.     

The role of serum PRL bioactivity evaluation in hyperprolactinaemic women with different menstrual disorders

Objective.?The objective of the study was to characterize the bioactivity of prolactin (PRL) in hyperprolactinaemic patients with prolactinomas, irregular menstrual cycles, regular menstrual cycles and PCOS.

Methods.?Serum PRL, biological activity of PRL (after polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation) and serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations were measured in all hyperprolactinaemic patients and control group (healthy subjects). Correlations between active PRL (PRL-PEG) and serum FSH, LH, E2, T, TSH concentrations were also evaluated.

Results.?Prolactinoma is characterized by high serum PRL levels and its high biological activity. Hyperprolactinaemic patients with irregular cycles were characterized by high biological activity of PRL. Patients with hyperprolactinaemia and regular cycles had low biological activity of PRL.

Conclusions.?Diagnosis of hyperprolactinaemia should be associated with estimation of PRL biological activity because it is important for type of hyperprolactinaemia management. Low biological activity of PRL does not impair FSH and LH secretion and does not cause hypoestrogenism.