Seasonal, menstrual and circadian secretions of melatonin, gonadotropins and prolactin in women

In order to evaluate the role of the pineal gland in human reproduction, day- and night-time concentrations of serum melatonin, FSH, LH and prolactin were measured by radioimmunoassays on various days of the menstrual cycle during summer (average daylight 22 h) and winter (daylight 5 h) in healthy females (n = 12) from northern Finland (65 degrees N). A multifactorial analysis of variance showed that, in addition to the well-established increases of gonadotropins at midcycle and melatonin and prolactin at night, there was a significant effect of season on the serum levels of melatonin and LH. Night-time serum melatonin levels on cycle days 2 and 10 were 27% and 49% (P less than 0.05 and less than 0.01) higher in winter than in summer. Night-time serum LH levels at midcycle were 76% (P less than 0.05) higher in summer than in winter. There were no significant effects of season on the serum levels of FSH, prolactin, day-time melatonin or LH outside the mid-cycle. Neither were there any significant effects of the day of the menstrual cycle on the serum melatonin levels. It is possible that in winter the high levels of melatonin in the follicular phase have an inhibitory effect on the serum LH levels. In summer the melatonin levels are lower and perhaps less inhibitory on the secretion of LH, resulting in the stimulation of the reproductive competence in human females.     

Effect of carbohydrate ingestion and hormonal responses on ratings of perceived exertion during prolonged cycling and running

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was designed to determine the influence of exercise mode, and 6% carbohydrate (C) versus placebo (P) beverage ingestion, on ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and hormonal regulation to 2.5?h of high-intensity running and cycling (≈75% maximum oxygen uptake) by ten triathletes who acted as their own controls. Statistical significance was set at P?≤?0.05. The pattern of change in RPE over time was significantly different between C and P ingestion (P?P?=?0.001). The lowest RPE values were seen in the C-cycling sessions and the highest in the P-running sessions. The pattern of change in the respiratory exchange ratio and fat and carbohydrate oxidation rates were significantly different between the C and P conditions but not between the running and cycling modes. C relative to P ingestion (but not exercise mode) was associated with higher plasma levels of glucose and insulin and lower plasma cortisol and growth hormone levels. The pattern of change in plasma levels of catecholamines and lactate did not differ between the C and P conditions. These data indicate that a lower RPE was associated with a higher level of carbohydrate oxidation, higher plasma glucose and insulin levels, and lower plasma cortisol and growth hormone levels during cycle exercise following C supplementation as compared to P feeding. These findings support a physiological link between RPE and carbohydrate substrate availability as well as selected hormonal regulation during cycle exercise.     

Hormonal responses to daily strenuous walking during 4 successive days

The hormonal response to 4 days' walking exercise (totaling 164 km) was examined among 15 healthy males. We hypothesised that submaximal daily, repeated, prolonged exercise may disturb the balance of the adrenal cortex and pituitary–testicular axis, which could be analysed from the concentrations of serum cortisol and testosterone, and with time-resolved immunofluorometric assay (IFMA) of luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). In the adrenal cortex the increased response to acute exercise could be seen after the 1st day. The concentration of testosterone was reduced after the first two exercise sessions and a plateau was reached after the 3rd day of walking. LH decreased during the 2nd and 3rd day by 31% (P=0.04 and 0.001, respectively) and remained steady on the 4th day. In FSH the suppression was seen all the time after the second exercise session and before the final walk it was reduced by 19% (P=0.02) compared with the baseline. The acute response of the adrenal cortex and pituitary–gonadal axis (excluding secretion of FSH) disappeared within 4 days of repeated prolonged walking and no dramatic lasting changes occurred despite this major 4-day effort. However, when using the sensitive IFMA, which can detect low concentrations of gonadotropins, secretion of FSH was seen to remain reduced and no stability was seen. Electronic Publication     

Blood glucose concentration dependent ACTH and cortisol responses to prolonged exercise

The purpose of this study is to investigate responses of serum ACTH and cortisol concentration to low intensity prolonged exercise. In experiment 1, 10 subjects fasted for 12 h and performed bicycle exercise at 49.3% VO2max (+/- 4.3%) until exhaustion or up to 3 h. During the early part of the exercise, serum ACTH and cortisol concentrations did not increase from the pre-exercise values (ACTH: 44 +/- 5 micrograms/l, cortisol: 139 +/- 52 micrograms/l). Whilst the time to serum ACTH concentration increasing varied among the subjects (60-180 min), the increases of this hormone occurred for all subjects (175 +/- 85 ng/l, P less than 0.05) when blood glucose concentration decreased to a critical level of 3.3 mmol/l. At the end of the exercise, blood glucose concentration decreased to 2.60 +/- 0.21 mmol/l, and serum ACTH and cortisol concentrations increased to 313 +/- 159 ng/l and 371 +/- 151 micrograms/l, respectively. In experiment 2, four subjects performed the same intensity exercise until exhaustion, and were then given 600 ml of 20 g glucose solution, and immediately afterwards, they were asked to repeat the same exercise. The subjects continued the exercise for between 30 to 90 min until again reaching exhaustion. During the second exercise, blood glucose concentration increased to the pre-exercise value (2.72 +/- 0.58 to 4.00 +/- 0.22 mmol/l, P less than 0.05) and simultaneously, serum ACTH concentration decreased considerably (354 +/- 22 to 119 +/- 54 ng/l, P less than 0.05). The results of the present study suggest that serum ACTH and cortisol concentration during low intensity prolonged exercise may be dependent on blood glucose concentration.     

Response of serum inhibin B and pro-alphaC levels to gonadotrophic stimulation in normal men before and after steroidal contraceptive treatment

BACKGROUND: Testicular regulation of inhibin B may be influenced by the germ cell complement. METHODS: We examined the effects of gonadotrophin stimulation on serum inhibin B and pro-alphaC in 25 normal men at (i) control (stimulation test 1), (ii) after spermatogenic suppression induced by testosterone plus progestin treatment (stimulation test 2), and (iii) during spermatogenic recovery induced by FSH and/or hCG treatment (stimulation test 3). For each test, subjects received a single injection of 1200 IU FSH or 5000 IU hCG or both. RESULTS: Inhibin B and pro-alphaC fell with spermatogenic suppression (75 and 51% of pre-treatment baseline respectively, P < 0.05). Inhibin B response to FSH (130-144%) was similar in controls and after germ cell suppression. Pro-alphaC response after germ cell suppression compared with control was significantly increased (P < 0.05) with both FSH (210-229% versus 140-185%) and hCG (254-261% versus 145%). All treatments partially restored spermatogenesis with no clear relationship apparent between inhibin B and sperm count. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that: (i) serum inhibin B and pro-alphaC are only partially gonadotrophin dependent, (ii) spermatogenic suppression does not modify inhibin B response to FSH but enhances pro-alphaC response to both FSH and hCG, and (iii) inhibin B is a poor marker of spermatogenesis in this model of gonadotrophic manipulation in normal men.     

Effect of Caffeine Co-Ingested with Carbohydrate or Fat on Metabolism and Performance in Endurance-Trained Men

We examined the effect of caffeine co-ingested with either carbohydrate or fat on metabolism and performance in eight endurance-trained subjects who performed a random order of four experimental trials consisting of 120 min of steady-state ergometer cycling at 70 % of maximal O(2) uptake (SS) followed by a time trial in which subjects completed a set amount of work (7 kJ kg-1) as quickly as possible. One hour before SS subjects ingested either 2.6 g kg-1 carbohydrate (CHO); 2.6 g kg-1 CHO + 6 mg kg-1 caffeine (CHO + CAF); 1.2 g kg-1 fat with 2000 U I.V. heparin (FAT); or 1.2 g kg-1 fat with 2000 U I.V. heparin + 6 mg kg-1 caffeine (FAT + CAF). The rate of carbohydrate oxidation was higher (micromol kg-1 min-1: CHO, 243 +/- 39 and CHO + CAF, 239 +/- 30 vs. FAT, 196 +/- 48 and FAT + CAF, 191 +/- 55; P < 0.05, values are means +/- S.D.) and the rate of fat oxidation lower (micromol kg-1 min-1: CHO, 19 +/- 8 and CHO + CAF, 22 +/- 7 vs. FAT, 35 +/- 19 and FAT + CAF, 37 +/- 17; P < 0.05) with carbohydrate than fat ingestion. Yet despite lower carbohydrate use with fat feeding, the time taken to complete the time trial was less after carbohydrate than after fat ingestion (min: CHO, 30.37 +/- 7.42 and CHO + CAF, 29.12 +/- 5.62 vs. FAT, 33.02 +/- 8.50 and FAT + CAF, 32.78 +/- 7.70; P < 0.05). We conclude that (1) caffeine co-ingested with either carbohydrate or fat meals has no additive effect on substrate utilization or exercise performance and (2) carbohydrate ingestion before exercise improves subsequent time trial performance compared with fat ingestion. Experimental Physiology (2001) 86.1, 137-144.     

Effects of acute carbohydrate supplementation during sessions of high-intensity intermittent exercise

Abs tract The present study evaluated the acute effects of carbohydrate supplementation on heart rate (HR), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), metabolic and hormonal responses during and after sessions of high-intensity intermittent running exercise. Fifteen endurance runners (26 ± 5 years, 64.5 ± 4.9 kg) performed two sessions of intermittent exercise under carbohydrate (CHO) and placebo (PLA) ingestion. The sessions consisted of 12 × 800 m separated by intervals of 1 min 30 s at a mean velocity corresponding to the previously performed 3-km time trial. Both the CHO and PLA sessions were concluded within ∼28 min. Blood glucose was significantly elevated in both sessions (123.9 ± 13.2 mg dl⁻¹ on CHO and 147.2 ± 16.3 mg dl⁻¹ on PLA) and mean blood lactate was significantly higher in the CHO (11.4 ± 4.9 mmol l⁻¹) than in the PLA condition (8.4 ± 5.1 mmol l⁻¹) (P < 0.05). The metabolic stress induced by the exercise model used was confirmed by the elevated HR (∼182 bpm) and RPE (∼18 on the 15-point Borg scale) for both conditions. No significant differences in plasma insulin, cortisol or free fatty acids were observed during exercise between the two trials. During the recovery period, free fatty acid and insulin concentrations were significantly lower in the CHO trial. Supplementation with CHO resulted in higher lactate associated with lipolytic suppression, but did not attenuate the cortisol, RPE or HR responses.     

Carbohydrate ingestion prior to exercise augments the exercise-induced activation of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex in human skeletal muscle

This study examined the effect of pre-exercise carbohydrate (CHO) ingestion on pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) activation, acetyl group availability and substrate level phosphorylation (glycogenolysis and phosphocreatine (PCr) hydrolysis) in human skeletal muscle during the transition from rest to steady-state exercise. Seven male subjects performed two 10 min treadmill runs at 70 % maximum oxygen uptake (VO2,max), 1 week apart. Each subject ingested 8 ml (kg body mass (BM))-1 of either a placebo solution (CON trial) or a 5.5 % CHO solution (CHO trial) 10 min before each run. Muscle biopsy samples were obtained from the vastus lateralis at rest and immediately after each trial. Muscle PDC activity was higher at the end of exercise in the CHO trial compared with the CON trial (1.78+/-0.18 and 1.27+/-0.16 mmol min(-1) (kg wet matter (WM))(-1), respectively; P 0.05) and this was accompanied by lower acetylcarnitine (7.1+/-1.2 and 9.1+/-1.1 mmol kg(-1) (dry matter (DM))(-1) in CHO and CON, respectively; P<0.05) and citrate concentrations (0.73+/-0.05 and 0.91+/-0.10 mmol (kg DM)(-1) in CHO and CON, respectively; P<0.05). No difference was observed between trials in the rates of muscle glycogen and PCr breakdown and lactate accumulation. This is the first study to demonstrate that CHO ingestion prior to exercise augments the exercise-induced activation of muscle PDC and reduces acetylcarnitine accumulation during the transition from rest to steady-state exercise. However, those changes did not affect the contribution of substrate level phosphorylation to ATP resynthesis.     

Carbohydrate supplementation and alterations in neutrophils, and plasma cortisol and myoglobin concentration after intense exercise

The present study examined the effect of carbohydrate supplementation on changes in neutrophil counts, and the plasma concentrations of cortisol and myoglobin after intense exercise. Eight well-trained male runners ran on a treadmill for 1 h at 85% maximal oxygen uptake on two separate occasions. In a double-blind cross-over design, subjects consumed either 750 ml of a 10% carbohydrate (CHO) drink or a placebo drink on each occasion. The order of the trials was counter-balanced. Blood was drawn immediately before and after exercise, and 1 h after exercise. Immediately after exercise, neutrophil counts (CHO, 49%; placebo, 65%; P<0.05), plasma concentrations of glucose (CHO, 43%; P<0.05), lactate (CHO, 130%; placebo, 130%; P<0.01), cortisol (CHO, 100%; placebo, 161%; P<0.01), myoglobin (CHO, 194%; placebo, 342%; P<0.01) all increased significantly. One hour post-exercise, plasma myoglobin concentration (CHO, 331%; placebo, 482%; P<0.01) and neutrophil count (CHO, 151%; placebo, 230% P<0.01) both increased further above baseline. CHO significantly attenuated plasma myoglobin concentration and the neutrophil count after exercise (P<0.01), but did not affect plasma cortisol concentration. The effects of CHO on plasma myoglobin concentration may be due to alterations in cytokine synthesis, insulin responses or myoglobin clearance rates from the bloodstream during exercise. Plasma cortisol responses to CHO during exercise may depend on the intensity of exercise, or the amount of CHO consumed. Lastly, cortisol appears to play a minor role in the mobilisation of neutrophils after intense exercise.     

Tungstate administration improves the sexual and reproductive function in female rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes

BACKGROUND: Diabetes induces great alterations in female reproductive function. We analyzed the effects of tungstate, an anti-diabetic agent, on the reproductive function of healthy and diabetic female rats. METHODS: Healthy and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were treated with sodium tungstate (2 mg/ml in their drinking water) for 12 weeks. Markers of reproductive function and diabetes were measured in serum, and in uterus and ovaries by Western blot or RT-PCR. Reproductive function was also assessed by mating. RESULTS: Diabetic rats showed great impairment of libido, which was accompanied by a total loss of fertility (P < 0.05) and a decrease in the serum levels of FSH (P < 0.05) and LH (P < 0.05) compared with healthy rats. Tungstate treatment of diabetic rats partially recovered libido while fertility rate increased to 66.6%. This improvement was accompanied by a recovery of serum FSH (to a level higher than healthy rats) and LH. Moreover, tungstate treatment normalized ovarian expression of GLUT 3 hexose transporter, and estrogen, progesterone and FSH receptors, whereas only GLUT 3 and FSH receptors were normalized in the uterus. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the alterations in female reproduction in diabetes were partially reversed after tungstate treatment by a mechanism(s) involving the normalization of serum FSH and LH levels, and ovarian and uterine expression of FSH receptors and GLUT3.     

Follicle-stimulating hormone as a prognostic indicator in clomiphene citrate/human menopausal gonadotrophin-stimulated cycles for in-vitro fertilization

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), oestradiol and prolactin levels were studied in a sequential clomiphene citrate/human menopausal gonadotrophin (CC/HMG) regimen for in-vitro fertilization. At completion of CC administration, the median FSH level in 44 cancelled cycles was elevated compared to a control group of 65 completed cycles, 29 IU/l versus 15 IU/l, P less than 0.01. Also the median FSH/LH ratio was higher in the cancelled cycles than in the control group, 1.08 versus 0.71, P less than 0.05. Conversely, the median oestradiol level was lower in the cancelled cycles than in the completed cycles, 0.27 nmol/l versus 0.59 nmol/l, P less than 0.01. No difference was seen in the median LH and prolactin levels. An FSH value above the 95% confidence limit was found in 24 of the cancelled cycles, but in only two of the completed cycles. Based on this study, an elevated FSH value following CC administration predicts a poor response to further stimulation with an accuracy of 92.3% and should result in cancellation of the cycle.     

Suppression of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity with inhaled flunisolide and fluticasone propionate in adult asthma patients.

BACKGROUND: Suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, a potential systemic effect of inhaled corticosteroid therapy, can be quantified by monitoring serum, urinary, and salivary cortisol levels. OBJECTIVES: 1) Compare the effects on HPA axis of the inhaled corticosteroids flunisolide and fluticasone propionate versus placebo and oral prednisone. 2) Estimate dose-potency ratio for HPA-axis suppression. METHODS: Multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, open-label, 21-day trial. Active regimens were flunisolide 500 and 1,000 microg, twice daily; fluticasone propionate 110, 220, 330, and 440 microg, twice daily; and prednisone, 7.5 mg daily. Enrolled patients were nonsmokers, 18 to 50 years of age, with persistent mild-to-moderate asthma and had not used oral, nasal, or inhaled corticosteroids for 6 months before study. Main outcome measures were area under serum cortisol concentration curve for 22 hours (AUC(0-22h)); 24-hour urinary cortisol level; and 8 AM salivary cortisol level. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-three patients were randomly assigned to active treatment or placebo; 125 patients completed the study and were at least 80% compliant with their regimens. Both fluticasone propionate and flunisolide caused dose-dependent suppression of HPA axis, which was statistically greater for fluticasone propionate (P = 0.0003). Dose-potency ratio showed 4.4 times more serum-cortisol suppression/microgram increase in dose with fluticasone propionate than with flunisolide. Diurnal pattern of serum cortisol suppression was persistent with fluticasone propionate and "remitting" with flunisolide. Salivary and urinary cortisol data were qualitatively similar to serum cortisol results. CONCLUSIONS: Fluticasone caused significantly more suppression of HPA axis than flunisolide. Flunisolide may provide a safe option for patients with asthma requiring long-term inhaled corticosteroid therapy.     

Corticotropin releasing hormone and gonadotropin secretion in physically active males after acute exercise

Summary Plasma concentrations of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and the serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol were measured in seven physically active males after acute exercise on a treadmill using the Bruce protocol. Measurements were made in the basal pre-exercise state, immediately after exercise, and at 30-min intervals for 3 h after exercise. Serum LH concentrations declined following exercise reaching nadir values between 60 and 180 min after exercise (90 min post exercise in the group). The nadir values in individual volunteers were significantly lower than both the baseline and post-exercise levels. This fall in serum LH concentration appeared to follow a slight but significant elevation of the plasma concentration of CRH which reached peak levels when measured immediately post exercise. Plasma ACTH concentrations paralleled the rise in CRH, but fell to undetectable levels of below 13.8 nmol · l^–1 (< 5 ng · l^–1) 60 min after exercise. Plasma cortisol concentrations peaked approximately 30 min after the rise in ACTH, after which they gradually declined to baseline levels. Plasma testosterone concentrations paralleled the concentrations of LH. The data suggest that CRH, on the basis of its previously described gonadotropin-depressant property, may be the hormone involved in the exercise-mediated decline in serum LH. Alternatively, some as yet unidentified factor(s), may be involved in producing the altered concentrations of both LH and CRH.     

Substrate utilization in boys during exercise with [13C]-glucose ingestion

The influence of glucose ingestion on substrate utilization during prolonged exercise in children and adolescents is currently unknown. In the present study we determined the effect of intermittent exogenous glucose (GLUexo) ingestion on substrate utilization during prolonged exercise, in adolescent boys ages 13 17 years. Healthy untrained volunteers performed four 30-min exercise bouts on a cycle ergometer, separated by 5-min rest periods (approximately equal to 60% maximum O2 consumption), on two occasions spaced 1-4 weeks apart. Two trials were performed, a control trial (CT), in which subjects ingested water intermittently during the exercise, and a glucose trial (GT), in which subjects ingested a 13C-enriched GLUexo drink (approximately egual to glucose kg body mass(-1)), also intermittently during the exercise. Total free fatty acids (FATtotal), glucose (GLUtotal) and carbohydrate (CHOtotal) oxidation was determined from indirect calorimetry, while GLUexo oxidation was calculated from the 13C/12C ratio in expired air after 5-10 min and 25-30 min of exercise in each bout. Heart rate and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were determined at the same time intervals. The oxidation of CHOtotal was 169.1 (12.9) g x 120 min(-1) and 203.1 (15.9) g x 120 min(-1) (P < 0.01) and that of FATtotal was 31.0 (4.2) g x 120 min(-1) and 17.1 (2.5) g x 120 min(-1) (P < 0.01) in CT and GT, respectively. GLUexo oxidation in GT was 57.8 (4.3) g x 120 min(-1), or 34.2 (2.2)% of that ingested. Endogenous glucose oxidation was 169.1 (12.9) g x 120 min(-1) and 145.3 (11.9) g x 120 min(-1) (P < 0.01) in CT and GT, respectively. Insulin and glucose concentrations were higher in GT than in CT by 226% and 37%, respectively (both P < 0.05). Free fatty acids and glycerol concentrations were lower in GT than in CT, by 27% and 79%, respectively (both P < 0.05). Heart rate was similar between trials, but RPE was lower in GT vs CT at both 115 and 135 min. Thus, under these experimental conditions, GLUexo intake spares endogenous carbohydrate and fat by 16% and 45%, respectively, contributes to approximately 25% of the total energy demand of exercise, and lowers the RPE.     

Serum anti-Müllerian hormone is more strongly related to ovarian follicular status than serum inhibin B,estradiol, FSH and LH on day 3

BACKGROUND: The study aim was to compare the relationship between serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels and other markers of ovarian function with early antral follicle count on day 3. METHODS: A total of 75 infertile women was studied prospectively. On cycle day 3, serum levels of AMH, inhibin B, estradiol (E(2)), FSH and LH levels were measured, and the number of early antral follicles (2-10 mm in diameter) estimated at ultrasound scanning to compare the strengths of hormonal-follicular correlations. RESULTS: Median (range) serum levels of AMH, inhibin B, E(2), FSH and LH were 1.39 ng/ml (0.24-6.40), 90 (16-182) pg/ml, 31 (15-111) pg/ml, 7.0 (2.9-19.3) mIU/ml and 4.7 (1.2-11.7) mIU/ml respectively, and follicular count was 12 (1-35). Serum AMH levels were more strongly correlated (P < 0.001) with follicular count (r = 0.74, P < 0.0001) than were serum levels of inhibin B (r = 0.29, P < 0.001), E(2) (r = -0.08, P = NS), FSH (r = -0.29, P < 0.001) and LH (r = 0.05, P = NS). CONCLUSIONS: Serum AMH levels were more robustly correlated with the number of early antral follicles than inhibin B, E(2), FSH and LH on cycle day 3. This suggests that AMH may reflect ovarian follicular status better than the usual hormone markers.     

Paroxetine administration failed [corrected] to influence human exercise capacity, perceived effort or hormone responses during prolonged exercise in a warm environment

The purpose of the experiment was to examine whether selective serotonin (5-HT) re-uptake transporter blockade by paroxetine has any effect on perceived effort (RPE) during exercise or the time to reach volitional fatigue and on the prolactin and cortisol responses during prolonged exercise performed in a warm environment. Eight healthy males performed two cycle rides to exhaustion in a warm (32 degrees C) environment at 60% of maximum oxygen uptake. Paroxetine (20 mg) or placebo was administered 5 h before exercise trials in a randomised double blind fashion. Time to exhaustion was not significantly influenced by administration of paroxetine: median (range) time to exhaustion was 93.3 (76.2-175.0) min on the placebo trial and 92.5 (66.0-151.0) min on the paroxetine trial. Rectal temperature was higher at rest and throughout exercise on the paroxetine trial. The serum concentrations of prolactin and cortisol were determined throughout exercise as peripheral markers of central 5-HT activity. RPE increased over time but was not influenced by paroxetine administration. Prolactin and cortisol levels increased over time but paroxetine administration did not influence the hormone responses during exercise. In conclusion, acute administration of paroxetine failed to alter RPE, exercise capacity or the response of the determined peripheral hormone markers of central 5-HT activity during prolonged exercise in a warm environment.     

不孕症患者性激素水平的变化

为了解性激素的变化在不孕症发病过程中的作用,将84例患不孕症的妇女,分为四组,在卵泡期对血清六项激素：FSH、LH、PRL、E2、T、P进行了放射检测。检测结果表明：四组患者的六项指标均高于标准值,除E2（P＜0．05）外,其他各项指标的组均数间无显著性差别,在被检病例中E2、P含量增高的患者所占的百分比与LH／FSH比值增高患者所占的百分比基本一致。     

内源性洋地黄样物质、FSH和LH与妊高征的关系

为探讨内源性洋地黄样物质 (EDLS)、FSH和LH在妊高征 (PIH)的发病机理中的作用 ,本文采用RIA法对 2 0 0例PIH患者血清EDLS、FSH和LH进行了测定和分析。结果显示 ,PIH患者血清EDLS比对照组明显增高 (P <0 .0 1) ,FSH和LH明显降低 (P <0 .0 0 1) ,表明EDLS、FSH和LH在PIH发病机理中起重要的作用     

Serum testosterone response to low dose dexamethasone and combined contraceptive pill in subgroups of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Serum testosterone responses to the low dose dexamethasone and combined contraceptive pill were evaluated in a group of 42 patients with the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and in 10 normal-cycling women with idiopathic hirsutism. PCO patients were divided into subgroups according to their clinical presentation and hormonal characteristics. After the dexamethasone administration the serum testosterone levels remained significantly higher in all PCO patients compared to women with idiopathic hirsutism. Significant testosterone suppression was noticed in the subgroups with normal prolactin and normal LH levels (4.5 +/- 0.5 vs. 3.0 +/- 0.4 nmol/L, p less than 0.05 and 4.0 +/- 0.4 vs. 2.4 +/- 0.3 nmol/L, p less than 0.025 respectively), while it was not significant in any of the other subgroups studied. After a combined contraceptive pill administration a significant serum testosterone suppression was observed in all PCO subgroups (p less than 0.001), while it was not significant in women with idiopathic hirsutism. The results of this study show that ovaries are the main source of serum testosterone in PCO patients. This is particularly evident in patients with the highest LH/FSH ratio or hyperprolactinaemia.     

The prognostic value of basal luteinizing hormone:follicle-stimulating hormone ratio in the treatment of patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome by assisted reproduction techniques

One of the main endocrinological disturbances in patients withpolycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the increased baselineconcentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and consequentlya high LHrfollicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio. The aimof this study was to assess the relationship between the baselineLH:FSH ratio with the stimulation response and the miscarriagerisk in PCOS women stimulated for assisted reproduction techniques(ART) with and without gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue(GnRHa). Two groups of PCOS patients were analysed retrospectively.Group A (n = 20, 20 cycles) consisted of women stimulated withhuman menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG), and group B (n = 128,162 cycles) comprised women stimulated with buserelin-long/HMG.LH and FSH concentrations were measured during the early follicularphase (days 4–6) in a preceding spontaneous or progestininducedcycle. The following parameters were assessed: number of folliclesdeveloped, number of oocytes obtained and percentage of matureoocytes, as well as number of abortions and live births. Ingroup A, the baseline LH:FSH ratio was correlated inverselywith the number of follicles developed (P < 0.05), the numberof oocytes obtained (P < 0.05) and the percentage of matureoocytes (P < 0.05). In group B, no correlation was foundbetween the LH:FSH ratio and the number of follicles and oocytes,because their numbers were relatively constant irrespectiveof the baseline LH:FSH ratio, but a significant inverse correlationwas noted with the percentage of mature oocytes (P < 0.001).However, a comparison of the slopes of the curve indicated abetter correlation between the LH:FSH ratio and the percentageof mature oocytes in group A than in group B (P < 0.05).These findings were also confirmed when patients were subdividedaccording to the LH:FSH ratio (<3 or 3=3). Furthermore, inwomen who miscarried, the mean LH:FSH ratio was significantlyhigher than in women having a live birth. In conclusion, inPCOS patients stimulated with HMG, a high basal LH:FSH ratioappears to have an adverse effect on the number of folliclesand oocytes, as well as on oocyte maturity. On the other hand,the administration of GnRHa in the long protocol seems to reversethis detrimental effect on follicle and oocyte development.Furthermore, a higher LH:FSH ratio seems to predict a greaterpossibility for miscarriage, despite the use of GnRHa.