Luteal phase progesterone excretion in ovulatory women with polycystic ovaries

BACKGROUND: Various studies have reported a prevalence of polycystic ovaries (PCO) of approximately 20% in the 'normal' population. Our aim was to investigate the frequency of ovulation and pattern of luteal phase progesterone secretion in a group of women with PCO who reported regular cycles and in whom ovulation had been established on the basis of previous investigations. METHODS: Subjects collected early morning urine samples for pregnanediol-3-glucuronide measurement from day 10 of the cycle to day 1 of their next menses. Results in three consecutive cycles from women with PCO (group 1, n = 10 and 29 for patients and cycles respectively) were compared with results from two groups with normal ovaries; with either infertility (group 2, n = 10 and 30) or proven fertility (group 3, n = 6 and 19). RESULTS: There were considerable variations in cycle length. The median (range) was group 1: 28 (23-47); group 2: 26 (21-36) and group 3: 27 (25-38) days with more short cycles in both infertile groups. There was more variation in pregnanediol:creatinine in the normal-ovary infertile and PCO groups than in the fertile controls. Levels were higher in the early luteal phase in the fertile normal group than in either infertile group, and the mid-luteal phase peak was lower in the infertile women with normal ovaries. In summary, there was greater variability in luteal phase pregnanediol:creatinine ratios in the PCO and infertile normal-ovary groups than in women with normal ovaries and proven fertility. CONCLUSION: Women with PCO did not have more variation in cycle length than fertile women with normal ovaries, but there were significantly lower levels of progesterone in the early luteal phase. This may contribute to the delay in conception in these patients.     

Side of ovulation and cycle characteristics in normally fertile women

This study was undertaken to establish whether ovulation in humans alternates consistently from right to left ovary in successive cycles and whether the site of ovulation affects the next cycle length or the hormonal profiles. A total of 199 cycles in 80 normally fertile women were studied. The volunteers were monitored with ultrasonography to determine the day and side of ovulation and to calculate follicular and luteal phase lengths. Urinary hormone concentrations were also assayed. Right-sided ovulations occurred in 104 of the 199 cycles (52.3%; not significantly different from 50%). Alternate ovulations occurred in 61 of the 119 pairs of succeeding cycles (51.3%, not significant). The follicular phase length in contralateral ovulation (14.59 +/- 0.33 days; mean +/- SEM) did not differ significantly from that of ipsilateral ovulation (14.59 +/- 0. 37 days). There were also no significant differences in urinary concentrations of oestrone-3-glucuronide, pregnanediol-3alpha glucuronide, follicle stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone between ipsilateral and contralateral ovulation in either early follicular, peri-ovulatory or luteal phase of the cycle. It is concluded that in normally fertile women, the cycle length and the hormonal profile are independent of the, most probably random, site of ovulation.     

Hypersecretion of luteinizing hormone and ovarian steroids in women with recurrent early miscarriage

Polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with hypersecretionof luteinizing hormone (LH) which has been implicated in theaetiology of early pregnancy loss. Although 82% of women withrecurrent early loss have polycystic ovaries on ultrasound imaging,random serum LH concentrations are normal. In the present study,we have obtained further information from serial samples concerningthe cyclical patterns of gonadotrophin and sex steroid secretionin these women. Twenty-one women with recurrent early pregnancyloss and 10 multiparous controls were investigated; 81% of themand one of ten control subjects had polycystic ovaries. Meanmid-follicular and mid-luteal serum LH and follicle stimulatinghormone (FSH) levels were similar in both groups. Seventeenwomen with pregnancy loss had either raised urinary LH excretionor a premature LH surge; one control subject had a prematureLH surge. Total LH excretion during the cycle and mean follicularphase serum testosterone was significantly greater with earlypregnancy loss than in the control group, the difference inLH being greatest in the early luteal phase. Urinary oestrone-3-glucuronideexcretion was raised in the early luteal phase of the cyclein the group with early pregnancy loss; there was no differencebetween the groups in pregnanediol-3-glucuronide excretion.These data demonstrate abnormalities in LH secretion in 81%of women with recurrent fetal loss. Inappropriately raised LHlevels may have adverse effects on the developing oocyte orendometrium either directly, or indirectly by causing an elevationin testosterone and oestrogen levels.     

The significance of elevated basal follicle stimulating hormone in regularly menstruating infertile women

Elevated plasma follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) during thereproductive life is an early manifestation of ovarian ageing.The presence of elevated basal FSH in young, regularly menstruatingwomen may represent a stage of menopausal transition consequenton premature ovarian failure. A total of 48 regularly menstruating,infertile women aged <40 years, with high FSH and aged-matchedcontrols with normal FSH underwent detailed monitoring of endocrineand follicle growth during one complete menstrual cycle. Duringthe same cycle, detailed immunological screening was performedand the epidemiological features of all subjects were also reviewed.Subjects in the high FSH group had significantly higher basalFSH, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicular phase LH concentrations.Despite their normal preovulatory oestradiol production, thehigh FSH group showed significantly slower follicular growth,smaller follicle diameter and lower luteal phase salivary progesterone.All these features have been described in older women duringtheir menopausal transition. In addition, the prevalence ofautoimmune antibodies was significantly higher in the high FSHgroup. This study suggests that infertile women with elevatedFSH are in their perimenopause despite having regular ovulatoryand apparently normal cycles. An autoimmune basis is suggestedas a factor underlying their premature ovarian failure. Furtherendocrinological and auto-immunological follow-up is recommended.     

Cognitive dietary restraint: impact on bone, menstrual and metabolic status in young women

We compared bone mineral density (BMD) and content (BMC), menstrual and metabolic status between physically active women with 1) high cognitive dietary restraint (High-CDR) (score>/=9, n=38) and Normal-CDR (score<9, n=46) and 2) across quartiles of CDR scores. Eighty-four physically active (500+/-35 min wk(-1)) premenopausal women participated and were categorized according to their CDR score. Primary outcomes included, BMD, BMC, menstrual status, estrone-3-glucuronide (E1G) and pregnanediol-3-glucuronide (PdG) area under the curve (AUC). Secondary outcomes included resting energy expenditure (REE), total triiodothyronine, and ghrelin. Measures of body mass (59.2+/-1.1 vs. 58.5+/-1.0 kg) and percent body fat (24.7+/-1.2 vs. 23.7+/-0.7%) were similar between women with Normal-CDR and High-CDR, however the High-CDR group had lower total body (1.140+/-0.011 vs. 1.179+/-0.010 g cm(-2); p=0.015) and lumbar spine (1.114+/-0.019 vs. 1.223+/-0.022 g cm(-2); p=0.001) BMD. The prevalence of oligo-amenorrhea was higher in the High-CDR group and became increasingly greater across the CDR quartiles. There were no differences in metabolic characteristics between the High-CDR and Normal-CDR groups, however REE and the ratio of measured to predicted REE were lower in the fourth quartile (CDR scores>/=13) compared to the second and third quartiles. Our results provide evidence that high CDR scores are associated with reduced lumbar spine and total body BMD in physically active premenopausal women. A greater frequency of menstrual disturbances in women with higher CDR scores likely played a role in the reduced total body and lumbar spine BMD.     

Caution on the use of saliva measurements to monitor absorption of progesterone from transdermal creams in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the levels of progesterone in plasma, red cells and saliva as well as pregnanediol-3-glucuronide excretion in postmenopausal women using transdermal progesterone creams. METHODS: A double-blind placebo controlled study was carried out using 24 postmenopausal women. Creams (placebo, 20 or 40 mg progesterone/g) were applied twice daily for 3 weeks followed by 1 week without before a further 3-week treatment. Morning samples were collected at 0, 1, 3, 4, 7 and 8 weeks for analysis. RESULTS: There were small increases in plasma progesterone levels and pregnanediol-3-glucuronide excretion compared to the placebo group and red cell progesterone levels never exceeded plasma levels during progesterone cream use. Saliva progesterone levels were very high and variable in the progesterone cream groups compared to the placebo group and presented a paradox to the usual relationship observed between plasma and saliva progesterone in premenopausal women. CONCLUSION: The absorption of progesterone from transdermal creams is low and we caution against the use of saliva measurements to monitor progesterone absorption. The low systemic absorption of progesterone may not be due to peripheral conversion by 5 alpha-reductase(s). We also conclude that the low level of progesterone associated with red cells suggests they are not important in the delivery of progesterone to target tissues.     

Do cycle disturbances explain the age-related decline of female fertility? Cycle characteristics of women aged over 40 years compared with a reference population of young women

BACKGROUND: The cause of declining fertility with age, in women who still have regular menstrual cycles, is not clear. METHODS: Follicle development, endometrial growth and hormonal patterns were evaluated in cycles of older women (aged 41-46 years; n = 26) who previously were normally fertile, and these cycles were compared with a reference group of relatively young fertile women (aged 22-34 years; n = 35). RESULTS: Clearly abnormal cycles were found in only two women in the older age group, and in one woman in the younger group. The main differences between the age groups were a shorter follicular phase and cycle length in the older group, in combination with higher FSH levels in the late luteal and early follicular phase. In contrast to published data which suggest an "accelerated" follicle development in older women, sonographical and hormonal evidence was found of an "advanced" follicle growth, with an earlier start already during the luteal phase of the preceding cycle, and an advanced selection and ovulation of the dominant follicle. CONCLUSIONS: Such an earlier start of follicle growth in a possibly less favourable hormonal environment, as well as a limited oocyte pool, may contribute to a decreased follicle and oocyte quality, resulting in diminished fertility in ageing women.     

Testosterone and 17β-oestradiol secretion of the human ovary. I. Normal young women,and premenopausal women with endometrial hyperplasia

Testosterone and 17β-oestradiol were determined in blood obtained from the ovarian veins of 26 women, 16 of whom were young and regularly ovulating and menstruating, and 10 of whom were premenopausal with uterine bleedings and endometrial hyperplasia. The concentrations of these two hormones in the cubital veins of the premenopausal women were also determined. It was found that the concentrations of the two hormones were not significantly greater in the premenopausal women than in the control group of young normally ovulating and menstruating women in the periovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle, but that the ovarian secretion rates of both hormones, particularly of testosterone, were considerably greater in the premenopausal women. In these women the concentrations of both hormones were significantly lower in the cubital veins than in the ovarian veins. The conclusion is that the augmented oestrogenic effect on the endometrium and on other target organs of premenopausal women with endometrial hyperplasia may be due not only to an increased ovarian secretion rate of estradiol, but also and more specifically to an increased ovarian secretion rate of testosterone, and to the rapid conversion of this hormone into oestradiol in the periphery.     

Sequential classification of endocrine stages during reproductive aging in women: the FREEDOM study

OBJECTIVE: Reproductive aging involves complex endocrine changes affecting women's fertility, health, and well-being; however, understanding of the specific changes involved is limited by the lack of detailed quantitative studies. We undertook a thorough study with the aim of characterizing the different endocrine stages involved in female reproductive aging. DESIGN: FREEDOM is a cohort study designed to determine the endocrine changes during reproductive aging in women. Here, we ascertained the different endocrine patterns in a representative population and developed a staging system. In this study, 112 women aged 30 to 58 years collected daily urine samples over a 6- to 18-month period and recorded their menstrual periods. A total of 36,786 samples were analyzed for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone, estrone 3-glucuronide, and pregnanediol 3-glucuronide. RESULTS: A classification of five sequential endocrine stages of reproductive aging was developed: stage 1, regular menstrual cycles with mean initial (day 1-5) FSH less than 5 IU/L; stage 2, regular cycles with FSH greater than 5 IU/L; stage 3, menstrual irregularity (with the appearance of "delayed-response cycles"); stage 4, acyclical ovarian activity with no evidence of ovulation and luteinization; and stage 5, ovarian quiescence and persistently raised gonadotropins. Distinct hormonal characteristics during the follicular and luteal phase were noted at each stage. CONCLUSION: This classification provides a detailed insight into the endocrinology of reproductive aging in women that could be useful for both clinical guidance and personal health care.     

Strength training effects on urinary steroid profile across the menstrual cycle in healthy women

Some studies suggest that performing strength training may cause alterations on the hypothalamic pituitary axis, resulting in steroid hormone variations. Intense training has been associated to slow the concentrations of estrogens and progesterone in women. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of strength training on the urinary steroid concentrations across the menstrual cycle phases. Twenty healthy women, regularly menstruating and not using pharmacologic contraceptives, performed a strength training during 8 weeks. Participants worked out 3 sets × 10 repetitions, with 2 min recovery time between sets, at 70–75 % of one maximum strength repetition. Urine samples were taken in three different phases of the menstrual cycle (menstrual, follicular and luteal) and they were collected both before and after training. Testosterone, DHEA, cortisol, cortisone, estradiol and progesterone concentrations were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results showed a significant decline after training in the urinary excretion of estradiol, during the menstrual and follicular phase, and progesterone, during the menstrual and luteal phase. No significant difference was observed for other steroid hormones. These data demonstrated that strength training can play an important role in the estrogen and progesterone metabolism in women, decreasing their levels across the menstrual cycle.     

Monitoring reproductive aging in a 5-year prospective study: aggregate and individual changes in steroid hormones and menstrual cycle lengths with age

OBJECTIVE: We describe a 5-year prospective study of reproductive aging, and present analyses of steroid hormone and menstrual cycle changes with age. DESIGN: Participants were college-educated white women, primarily of northern European ancestry, recruited from the Tremin Research Program on Women's Health (n = 156, 25-58 years). In each of 5 consecutive years, they collected daily urine specimens for 6 months and recorded menstrual bleeds for all months. Urine specimens were assayed for estrone-3-glucuronide (E1G) and pregnanediol-3-glucuronide (PDG), urinary metabolites of estradiol and progesterone. Using multilevel models, we estimated hormone and cycle-length trajectories for individual women and within- and between-woman variance by age. RESULTS: At the aggregate level, PDG declined beginning in the 30s, E1G increased into the 40s before declining, and cycle length became more variable with age. Individual-level models revealed substantial hormonal variation across women, in both absolute levels and rates of change. Most women showed declining E1G by the late 40s, declining PDG in the 30s, and increasing mean cycle length in the 40s. Hormonal variation decreased with age; cycle length variation decreased and then increased. Within individual women, cycle lengths were highly variable while hormone levels were more stable. Women differed more from each other in hormone levels than for cycle lengths. CONCLUSIONS: Aggregate-level analyses show general changes in steroid hormones and cycle length but cannot show variation within and across women. Individuals' cycle lengths were too variable to predict hormone levels. Clinicians should obtain more data on individual women's hormonal patterns when determining fertility or menopause treatments.     

The relation of plasma androgen levels to sexual behaviors and attitudes of women

Four androgens: dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione (A), testosterone (T), and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a variety of sexual behaviors and attitudes, and several moods were determined regularly in two groups of healthy, married women who differed by three decades in age. The younger women exhibited significantly higher levels of each androgen, the differences being almost entirely attributable to ovarian failure in the older group. Although the older women reported the same levels of sexual desire and sexual arousal as the younger women, their intercourse frequencies and self-rated sexual gratification scores were significantly lower than the values obtained for the younger wives. One or more of the androgen levels related significantly and in the expected direction to each stage of the four-stage sexual response process. Global measures of so-called "sexual adjustment" and estimates of anxiety, depression, and hostility feelings experienced by these women did not relate significantly to any of the four androgen levels.     

Effects of sex, phase of the menstrual cycle and gonadal hormones on pain in healthy humans

Sex differences in pain have been noted; women typically report more pain than men. Gonadal hormones may influence pain reports, and, moreover, such hormones may help to explain sex differences and menstrual cycle differences in pain. This study measured venipuncture and intravenous catherization pain during the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle in regularly menstruating women. Pain was also assessed in a group of men. Pain ratings were higher in women than men. In women, pain ratings did not differ between the follicular and luteal phases. Estradiol and progesterone increased from follicular to luteal phases. Within-phase analyses revealed that pain ratings were positively correlated with estradiol and progesterone during the luteal phase. Moreover, increases in estradiol and progesterone across the menstrual cycle were positively correlated with increases in pain. These findings suggest that variations in gonadal hormones during the menstrual cycle influence the experience of pain in healthy women.     

Urinary beta-FSH subunit concentrations in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women: a biomarker for ovarian reserve

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to develop an integrative assessment of pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion and to validate these measurements in a population of perimenopausal (PERI) and postmenopausal (POST) women. DESIGN: In this cross-sectional study, 170 POST and 20 PERI women collected first-void morning urine samples and had a single blood sample drawn on the same day. For comparison, 11 midreproductive-aged women had urine samples collected for one menstrual cycle. In addition, one 48.5-year-old woman collected daily urine samples for 4 consecutive years during her menopausal transition. Urine samples were assayed for estrone glucuronide (E1G) and pregnanediol-3-glucuronide (PdG) and were normalized to creatinine. An ELISA assay was developed for measurement of the free beta-FSH subunit in urine. RESULTS: Mean age (+/- SD) of the PERI and POST women were 48.1 +/- 3.0 and 52.8 +/- 4.1 years, respectively. Mean serum FSH levels were 9.5 +/- 5.8 and 79.3 +/- 32 IU/L (P < 0.001) in the PERI and POST women. Mean urinary beta-FSH/Cr for the PERI were 1.8 +/- 1.2 ng/mg; for the POST, 9.3 +/- 4.5 ng/mg (P < 0.001). Mean estradiol, E1G/Cr, and PdG/Cr levels were also significantly different between the two groups. There was a high correlation between serum FSH and urinary beta-FSH/Cr for the PERI (r = 0.584, P = 0.007) and POST (r = 0.54, P < 0.001), with minimal overlap in the urinary beta-FSH/Cr levels between the PERI and POST groups. A significant correlation between PdG/Cr and urinary beta-FSH/Cr was observed for POST (r = 0.581, P = 0.002). No correlation was seen between urinary beta-FSH/Cr and E1G/Cr or estradiol levels. In the perimenopausal participant, who collected 4 years of daily urine samples, urinary beta-FSH/Cr levels progressively increased during the follicular phase and, by the fourth year, there were persistent, almost tonically high elevations of beta-FSH/Cr in the urine. CONCLUSIONS: Urinary beta-FSH subunit measurements are a useful marker for monitoring ovarian function during the menopausal transition. Urinary free beta-FSH subunit concentrations reflect pituitary FSH secretion and serve as a biomarker for ovarian reserve.     

Incipient ovarian failure associated with raised levels of follicle stimulating hormone and reduced levels of inhibin A in older sheep

In women there is a gradual rise in the basal level of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in the years prior to the menopause (pre- menopause) which is thought to be due to a relative lack of ovarian factors reflecting the number of antral follicles present in the ovaries. Experimental animal models for this phenomenon, particularly in mono-ovulatory species, have been lacking due to most animals' relatively short life span. We have available a group of experimental ewes in which the right ovary was removed and the left ovary was autotransplanted to the neck at least 10 years previously, which have been maintained in good health until an age of 12-13 years. Two experiments were conducted with these animals to determine the endocrine and follicular effects of age: a retrospective experiment in the same Finn-Merino ewes (n = 5) when the animals were 6-7 or 12-13 years of age; and a cohort experiment in old (12-13 years, n = 6) and young (2 years, n = 5) ewes of the same breed. In both retrospective and cohort experiments, the concentrations of FSH were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in older animals during the luteal phase when oestradiol secretion was low. This increase in FSH was associated with a decrease in the concentration of inhibin A (P < 0.05) in older animals in both the follicular and luteal stages of the cycle but the concentrations of oestradiol were similar between ages. Although there were significantly fewer antral follicles (P < 0.05) available for development in older ewes during the early luteal phase of the cycle, the ovulation rate was similar to that observed in younger animals (2.0+/-0 vs 2.0+/-4; P > 0.05) but the interval from luteal regression to the onset of the LH surge was longer (P < 0.05) in older animals. In conclusion, the endocrine changes associated with increasing reproductive age in sheep are therefore similar to those observed in women, suggesting that the sheep could be a useful animal model to study the effect of age on human fertility.      

黄体中期子宫内膜活检在诊断黄体功能中的意义

目的 对原因不明的不孕症及反复流产患者的黄体期行不同时间子宫内膜活检,寻找患者不孕的原因,并观察内膜活检在诊断卵巢黄体功能上的意义。方法 对５３例不孕症患者进行了黄体中期血孕酮检测和黄体中,晚期子宫内膜活检。结果 ５３例患者中２４例子宫内膜分泌延迟都发生在黄体中期、其中９例内膜分泌延迟一直持续到晚期,这些患者的平均血孕酮值较正常组明显偏低（Ｐ〈０．０５）。另１３例晚期内膜分泌转为正常,其平均血孕酮     

Serum concentrations of dimeric inhibins, activin A, gonadotrophins and ovarian steroids during the menstrual cycle in older women

The transition from regular ovarian cyclicity to menopause is associated with a rise in the circulating concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), despite the maintenance of serum oestradiol concentrations during the perimenopause. The aim of this study was to compare the pattern of secretion of dimeric inhibins, activin A, gonadotrophins and steroids in regularly cycling women of 40-50 years with normal and raised early follicular phase serum FSH concentrations and young women (25-33 years) during the menstrual cycle. Blood samples were taken prospectively almost daily throughout the menstrual cycle. Women recruited were classified into three groups: (i) older women with normal FSH [(ON-FSH), day 3 FSH <8 mIU/ml, n = 10]; (ii) older women with raised FSH [(R-FSH), day 3 FSH >8 mIU/ml, n = 6] and (iii) young normal FSH (YN-FSH) women, age 25-32 years (n = 6). Cyclic patterns of serum inhibins and activin A were similar in the ON-FSH and YN-FSH groups. The R-FSH group had significantly lower concentrations of inhibin A prior to the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge and in the mid-luteal phase and lower concentrations of inhibin B in the early follicular phase compared with the ON-FSH group. Serum concentrations of activin A, progesterone and oestradiol were similar in all three groups. It is concluded from this study that the rise in early follicular phase serum FSH in older women is associated with a decrease in circulating concentrations of inhibin B in the early follicular phase. However, lower circulating concentrations of inhibin A in the luteal phase of the R-FSH group may also contribute to the rise in early follicular phase FSH concentrations during the menstrual cycle, although further studies with larger numbers are required to confirm this observation.     

Effect of advanced provision of emergency contraception on women's contraceptive behaviour: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Emergency contraception (EC) can prevent pregnancy but is under-used. Advanced provision increases use but the effect on contraceptive behaviour varies. METHODS: Women aged 18-45 years, using less effective contraceptives, were randomized to either advanced provision of three courses of EC (intervention) or to obtaining each course from clinic (control). EC use and contraceptive behaviour were monitored for 1 year. RESULTS: In all, 1030 women were recruited in 6 months. The mean+/-SD number of courses of EC used in intervention versus control group was 0.56+/-1.2 versus 0.20+/-0.6 (P<0.001). In the intervention group, 47% women aged <26 years used at least one course of EC compared with 23% of older women (P<0.001). The majority of women used condoms before (intervention 89%, control 91%) and during the study (89% for both groups). Consistency of contraceptive use was higher during the study (65 versus 60% of women in both groups) (P<0.001). There were 17 unplanned pregnancies, eight in the intervention group, six of whom did not use EC in the conception cycle. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced provision increases EC use especially among young women in Hong Kong. Contraceptive choice and consistency of use remains the same even among young women.     

Effect of long-term treatment with raloxifene on mammary density in postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate in a group of postmenopausal women the effects of long-term raloxifene treatment on breast density using a digitized analysis of mammograms and on insulinlike growth factor-1 (IGF-1), insulinlike growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) plasma levels. DESIGN: Seventy healthy postmenopausal women with normal body weight were enrolled in this study and were divided into two groups based on their bone status, evaluated by dual-energy x-ray at the lumbar spine (L2-4). Fifty women (chronological age 52.4 +/- 4.1 y, menopausal age 42.1 +/- 3.9 y), in whom the L2-4 T score was less than -2.5 SD, were treated with raloxifene HCl 60 mg/day orally for 2 years. The other 20 women (chronological age 53.6 +/- 3.5 y, age at menopause 43.1 +/- 3.6 y), in whom the L2-4 T score ranged between -1 and -2.5 SD, were enrolled as controls. All 70 women received calcium (1 g/d orally) and cholecalciferol (880 UI/d orally) supplementation. Moreover, all women followed a normocaloric and personalized diet. All women had mammography at baseline and after 2 years of therapy. The mammographic images on traditional support (radiography) were acquired by using a film scanner and were then elaborated by means of ad hoc software. Moreover, assessments of IGF-1, IGFBP-3, and SHBG plasma levels were obtained at baseline and after 24 months. RESULTS: After 24 months of therapy, there was a significant variation in the raloxifene-treated group with respect to baseline in the distribution of gray classes of radiographic images. In particular, an attenuation of graphic trace with a reduction of the areas with the lowest and most elevated gray classes was observed. In the control group, no significant variations of graphic traces were observed. Moreover, raloxifene treatment significantly reduced IGF-1 and increased IGFBP-3 and SHBG plasma levels at 24 months. During follow-up, IGF-1, IGFPB-3, and SHBG levels did not change significantly in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term treatment with raloxifene in a population of postmenopausal women is able to reduce breast density. Such an effect could perhaps explain the reduction in the incidence of mammary carcinoma observed in the Multiple Outcomes of Raloxifene Evaluation study probably due to the direct antiestrogenic activity of raloxifene on mammalian tissue and/or its indirect activity increasing SHBG levels or modifying the IGF-1/IGFBP-3 ratio.     

不孕患者子宫内膜孕激素受体研究

探讨不孕患者黄体中期子宫内膜孕激素受体的含量与子宫内膜分泌延迟的关系。方法应用＾１２５Ｉ放射免疫法及免疫组织化学ＬＳＡＢ法,对５３例不孕患者做了黄体中期血孕酮及子宫内膜活性组织检测。以尿黄体生成素（ＬＨ）高峰日为标准一黄体期实际 天数,将子宫内膜分泌表现较实际天数延迟２天以上者诊断为黄体功能不全。并根据 孕酮值及子宫内膜活检结果将患者分为３组：正常组、假黄体功能不全组、黄本功能不全组。结果发现假黄