抑制素-激活素-卵泡抑素系统与PCOS的关系

抑制素(INH)是主要由人体性腺组织分泌的多肽糖蛋白,多囊卵巢综合征(PCOS)患者血清中各型INH浓度的异常,可能和PCOS患者黄体生成素(LH)、卵泡刺激素(FSH)异常及卵泡闭锁有一定关系.激活素(ACT)促进卵泡发育,阻止雄激素(A)的产生,提高FSH和胰岛素的释放.卵泡抑素(FS)是一种ACT/INH结合蛋白,调节卵泡生长发育.卵泡膜细胞及颗粒细胞功能均受抑制素-激活素-卵泡抑素(INH-ACT-FS)系统影响.     

抑制素-激活素-卵泡抑素系统与PCOS的关系

抑制素(INH)是主要由人体性腺组织分泌的多肽糖蛋白，多囊卵巢综合征(PCOS)患者血清中各型INH浓度的异常，可能和PCOS患者黄体生成素(LH)、卵泡刺激素(FSH)异常及卵泡闭锁有一定关系。激活素(ACT)促进卵泡发育，阻止雄激素(A)的产生，提高FSH和胰岛素的释放。卵泡抑素(FS)是一种ACT／INH结合蛋白，调节卵泡生长发育。卵泡膜细胞及颗粒细胞功能均受抑制素-激活素-卵泡抑素(INH-ACT-FS)系统影响。     

经腹鞘内子宫三角形切除术21例临床分析

目的:比较传统全子宫切除术与经腹鞘内子宫三角形切除术术后恢复情况及对性激素的影响。方法:选择行经腹鞘内子宫三角形切除术21例患者为观察组,选择同期采用传统全子宫切除术切除子宫的21例患者作对照组,观察两组术后恢复情况,术前、术后3、6月血清FSH、LH、E2含量的变化情况。结果:观察组术后病率明显降低(P<0.05);观察组术前、术后血清FSH、LH、E2含量差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。观察组术后FSH、LH含量较对照组低(P<0.05),E2含量较对照组高(P<0.01)。结论:经腹鞘内子宫三角形切除术术后恢复好,对卵巢功能影响小。     

成年男性生育与不育血清中生殖内分泌激素含量的研究

<正> 促卵泡成熟激素(FSH)和促黄体生成激素(LH)是糖蛋白类。FSH 主要作用于睾丸曲细精管的生精作用与支持细胞,LH 主要通过刺激睾丸间质细胞(Leydig)分泌睾酮(T)促进精子形成。因而测定血清中 FSH、LH、T含量可以间接评估男性生育力。我们通过50例正常生育男性和68例男性不育患者血清中 FSH、LH、T 含量测定进一步探讨 FSH、LH、T 浓度与精子密度,睾丸功能,睾丸体积的关系及其测定的临床意义。     

女童性早熟200例性激素激发诊断试验临床分析

目的验证促性腺激素释放激素（GnRH）激发试验在性早熟鉴别诊断中的意义。方法 200例性早熟女童,其中真性性早熟78例,假性性早熟122例;所有患儿均行GnRH激发试验,检测血清促黄体生成素（LH）和促卵泡刺激素（FSH）含量,注射前加检血清E2含量。观察血清E2含量、LH和FSH的基础值和峰值。结果真性性早熟组LH、FSH峰值明显高于基础值,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）;假性性早熟组LH、FSH峰值与基础值比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论 GnRH激发试验在性早熟的鉴别诊断中有重要意义。     

绝经过渡期妇女血清抑制素水平的研究

目的　分析绝经过渡期妇女血清抑制素A(Inh A)、抑制素B(Inh B)水平的变化及其与其他生殖激素水平变化的时间关系。方法　测定 10例正常育龄妇女月经周期各期血清Inh A、Inh B水平 ;测定 40例绝经过渡期妇女月经周期第 3天的血清Inh B、促卵泡激素 (FSH)、促黄体生成素(LH)、雌二醇 (E2 )水平 ,经前 5～ 9d(经前期 )血清Inh A、孕酮 (P)水平 ;测定 10例绝经后妇女的血清Inh A、Inh B、FSH、E2 水平。分析各项激素水平变化之间的时间关系。结果　育龄妇女月经周期中Inh A、Inh B水平的变化曲线各不相同。绝经过渡期妇女中 ,黄体功能正常者占 48% ,经前期Inh A水平低于育龄妇女 ,分别为 ( 2 4 7± 13 0 )及 ( 42 9± 12 1)ng/L ,两者比较 ,差异有显著性 (P =0 0 17) ,Inh B水平改变差异无显著性 (P >0 0 5 ) ;黄体功能不足与无排卵者的Inh A水平进一步显著下降 ,分别为 ( 12 4± 10 2 )及 ( 5 3± 3 8)ng/L(P分别为 0 0 3 3及 <0 0 0 0 1) ,绝经后妇女则皆未检出。与育龄妇女比较 ,月经周期第 3天Inh B水平的下降仅在无排卵与绝经后妇女差异有极显著性 (P =0 0 0 1)。月经周期第 3天 ,FSH≥ 10IU/L者Inh B水平显著低于FSH <10IU/L者 ,分别为 ( 16 2± 4 0 )及 ( 62 0±43 8)ng/L(P <0 0 0     

多囊卵巢综合征患者血清左旋肉毒碱浓度的检测及意义

目的:探讨多囊卵巢综合征(PCOS)患者血清中左旋肉毒碱浓度的变化及其在PCOS发病中的作用.方法:采用高效液相色谱法检测15例PCOS患者及17例正常对照组妇女血清中左旋肉毒碱(L-camitine)水平,分析左旋肉毒碱与胰岛素、血脂及血清性激素水平的关系.结果:实验组血清左旋肉毒碱浓度、卵泡刺激素(FSH)、性激素结合球蛋白(SHBG)水平低于对照组,黄体生成素(LH)、LH/FSH、总雄激素(T)、游离雄激素(FT)、雌激素(E2)、空腹胰岛素(FINS)及稳态模型胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05).相关分析显示:血清左旋肉毒碱浓度与血清E2、T、FT、FINS、SHBG、甘油三酯(TG)及HOMA-IR等指标均无明显相关(P>0.05).结论:PCOS患者存在血清左旋肉毒碱浓度的降低,可能参与其病理生理过程.     

不同黄体生成素与卵泡刺激素比值的多囊卵巢综合征患者抗苗勒管激素分泌特点及卵泡发育障碍机制

目的 比较不同血清黄体生成素(LH)与卵泡刺激素(FSH)比值(LH/FSH)的多囊卵巢综合征(PCOS)患者的抗苗勒管激素(AMH)分泌特点及卵泡发育障碍机制.方法 以LH/FSH为标准,将95例PCOS患者分为高比值组(49例,LH/FSH≥2),常比值组(46例,LH/FSH<2),以62例月经周期规则的输卵管性不孕患者为对照(对照组).3组患者均测定体质指数(BMI);采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)测定血清AMH水平;采用化学发光法测定血清生殖激素、空腹血糖、胰岛素及血脂水平;采用单因素方差分析法比较各组间生化代谢指标的差异;并运用简单相关分析法和多重线性回归法分析AMH水平与各生化代谢指标的关系.结果 (1)血清AMH水平:高比值组为(7.2±4.3)μg/L,常比值组为(5.2±3.8)μg/L,对照组为(3.7±2.2)μg/L,3组分别比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01).(2)血清AMH水平与生化代谢指标的相关性:高比值组患者血清AMH水平与雌二醇水平呈负相关关系(r=-0.318);常比值组患者血清AMH水平与BMI、空腹血糖、稳态模型胰岛索抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)呈正相关关系(r=0.493、0.362、0.303).控制其他因素影响后,高比值组患者血清AMH水平与LH/FSH呈正相关关系(r=0.301),与雌二醇水平呈负相关关系(r=-0.429);常比值组患者血清AMH水平与BMI呈正相关关系(r=0.493).结论 高LH/FSH的PCOS患者卵泡发育障碍机制可能以下丘脑-垂体功能障碍为主,正常LH/FSH的PCOS患者则以代谢紊乱为主.     

IVF-ET周期中GnRH-a、FSH、hMG配伍方案的比较研究

目的:探讨IVF周期中采用不同促排卵方案时,卵泡液及血清中FSH、LH、E2水平的变化及对胚胎发育、受精、妊娠的影响;单用国产hMG促排卵的效果。方法:120例分成4组。测定卵泡液及取卵日血清中FSH、LH、E2水平,比较四种方案的取卵数、受精率、Ⅰ级、Ⅱ级胚胎形成率和每移植周期妊娠率。结果:四种促排卵方案的卵泡液和血清FSH、E2水平没有差别（P>0.05）,不同垂体降调节者,卵泡液和血清LH水平明显升高（P<0.0001）,四种促排卵方案的取卵数、受精率、优质胚胎形成率、移植周期妊娠率经统计学处理均无显著性差异。结论:卵泡液和血清中LH水平升高可能与应用垂体降调节有关,而与选择纯FSH还是hMG促排卵无关。轻度LH升高并不影响卵泡发育、卵子质量和以后的胚胎发育。IVF周期首选垂体降调节加FSH或FSH/hMG促排卵方案,单用hMG促排卵也可以作为选择。     

芳香化酶及环氧合酶抑制剂对大鼠子宫内膜异位症模型的作用

目的:探讨芳香化酶抑制剂(Arimidex)、环氧合酶-2抑制剂(celecoxib)对大鼠子宫内膜异位症(内异症)模型的作用。方法:采用子宫内膜自体移植方法建立大鼠内异症模型,将40只内异症大鼠随机分为5组(n=8):A:Arimidex组;B:celecoxib组:C:联合组;D:双卵巢切除组(OVX组);E:盐水对照组(NS对照组)。RIA方法测定各组血清FSH、LH、E2水平;检测各组处理前后异位囊肿体积变化;计算机图像分析各组异位内膜病理形态。结果:Arimidex单用或与celecoxib联合治疗1周均降低大鼠内异症模型血清E2水平(P<0.05),治疗4周对血清E2水平均无明显影响(P>0.05),治疗1周、4周血清FSH、LH水平略升高但与对照组比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);单用celecoxib对大鼠内异症模型血清E2、FSH、LH水平无影响(P>0.05)。Arimidex组、联合治疗组及去势组均可使异位囊肿体积明显缩小(P<0.01);囊肿消失率:联合治疗组(37.5%)及去势组(50%)均较高,有统计学意义(P<0.05),Arimidex组、celecoxib组则无统计学意义。Arimidex组、联合治疗组及去势组均可使子宫内膜及腔上皮明显变薄(P<0.01), celecoxib组不影响异位子宫内膜厚度及腔上皮高度(P>0.05);Arimidex组、celecoxib组、联合治疗组未明显改变腺上皮高度及腺腔外径(P>0.05)。结论:芳香化酶抑制剂联合环氧合酶-2抑制剂对大鼠内异症异位内膜的作用略优于单用芳香化酶抑制剂;两者治疗1周可使血清E2水平降低, FSH、LH略升高;治疗4周对血清E2、FSH、LH无明显影响;环氧合酶抑制剂单用效果不明显。     

黄体期应用米非司酮对卵巢功能的影响

本研究旨在比较黄体期不同阶段应用米非司酮对黄体功能、卵泡发育、排卵和阴道出血类型的影响以探讨其生育调节的作用机理。１５名采取屏障避孕的健康育龄妇女，随机分成三组（组Ⅰ～Ⅲ），分别在黄体早、中、晚期给予米非司酮口服２５ｍｇｑ１２ｈ×６。每例对象在对照周期、服药周期和随访周期均接受采血，测定其血清ＦＳＨ、ＬＨ、ＰＲＬ、Ｅ２和Ｐ的水平，记录其阴道出血量及时间。结果显示服药后阴道出血类型和激素水平的变化因服药时机而异。服药时间距ＬＨ峰愈近，则诱发阴道出血所需时间愈长，两者是显著负相关（ｒ＝－０．８７，Ｐ＜０．００１）。黄体早期用药（组Ⅰ）对黄体功能及出血类型无明显影响。黄体中期用药（组Ⅱ）者中，３例孕酮水平提前下降，服药周期缩短，提示黄体过早溶解；另２例在月经预期来潮之前亦有一次阴道出血，但其孕酮水平并未随之下降，提示黄体未提前萎缩。黄体晚期用药（组Ⅲ）对服药周期无明显影响；但是在随访周期，２例对象卵泡发育缓慢，排卵明显延迟，并且其黄体期也缩短。     

人宫颈粘液葡萄糖、果糖变化规律的研究

本文对月经周期规律的１５例育龄妇女２０个月经周期宫颈粘液及血清葡萄糖、果糖水平进行测定，同时对血清促黄体激素（ＬＨ）、促卵泡激素（ＦＳＨ）、雌二醇（Ｅ２）和孕酮（Ｐ）放免测定；阴道Ｂ超、宫颈粘液Ｉｎｓｌｅｒ评分；尿ＬＨ酶联免疫测定和基础体温（ＢＢＴ）测定，综合评价预测和确定排卵日。２０个周期均为有排卵周期。结果：宫颈粘液葡萄糖、果糖水平均表现为卵泡期稍高，排卵前最低，排卵后逐渐升高，黄体中期达高峰；卵泡期果糖水平与Ｅ２呈负相关（ｒ＝－０．７３，Ｐ＜０．０１）；黄体期葡萄糖、果糖水平均与Ｐ呈正相关（ｒ＝０．９９，Ｐ＜０．０１；ｒ＝０．９８，Ｐ＜０．０１）；血葡萄糖、果糖水平无周期性变化且与宫颈粘液葡萄糖、果糖水平无明显相关性（ｒ＝０．２３，Ｐ＞０．０５）。结论：宫颈粘液葡萄糖、果糖水平变化具有明显规律性，可能与雌孕激素调节有关。     

正常月经周期中尿液LH、FSH、E_2和P的变化

本文介绍了用放射免疫法测定20例育龄妇女正常月经周期晨尿中LH、FSHE_2和P、的逐日变化,并和同日收集的血清样品中这些激素的变化相比较。其结果显示:(1)血,尿激素逐日平均值呈正相关:LH,r=0.7224,p<0.0001;FSH,r=0.8493,p<0.0001;E_2,r=0.8744,p<0.0001;P,r=0.9225,p<0.0001。(2)血、尿激素在月经周期各期的浓度变化特点基本一致。因此,测定月经周期中尿液生殖激素的变化有可能成为观察女性内分泌功能的另一个重要手段裨。     

Elevated peritoneal fluid luteinizing hormone and prolactin concentrations in infertile women with endometriosis

In this study, we compared (Mann-Whitney U-test) the peritoneal fluid FSH, LH and PRL levels, measured by RIA, at the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle in women with (n = 43; age 25-44 years) and with no evidence of endometriosis (n = 35; age 25-39 years) who were considered as controls. Both follicular and luteal phase FSH concentrations of women with endometriosis were not statistically different (n = 22 vs 18; 0.32-5.8 vs 0.50-8.2 IU/l, P = 0.247; n = 13 vs 14; 0.6-6.5 vs 0.66-6.7 IU/l, P = 0.604) compared to their respective controls. In contrast to FSH, the concentrations of LH at follicular (n = 19 vs 17; 3.1-34.2 vs 2.3-12.2 IU/l, P = 0.01) and luteal (n = 17 vs 15; 2.1-95.4 vs 1.3-17.9 IU/l, P = 0.02) phases of the test group was significantly elevated at both phases of the cycle. With respect to differences in PRL concentrations at follicular phase no significant change (n = 21 vs 16; 1030-5800 vs 1305-4650 mIU/l; P = 0.255) was observed. The greatest difference in luteal PRL concentrations (P = 0.007) was obtained between the women with endometriosis and controls (n = 17 vs 17; 1895-8600 vs 1041-5000 mIU/l). The results suggest that disordered synchronization of neuroendocrine mechanisms controlling LH and PRL may be the underlying abnormality causing infertility in our group of patients with endometriosis.     

Cervicovaginal peroxidases: sex hormone control and potential clinical uses

Thirty-one normal women were studied daily in 41 cycles. Venous blood samples were taken for measurements of luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), and progesterone (P), and vaginal examinations were done to obtain cervical mucus and vaginal fluid. The specific activity of guaiacol peroxidase (GP), extracted from cervicovaginal secretions with 0.5 M CaCl2, was determined in the vaginal samples. In the follicular phase, from day -7 to day 0 (the LH +1 day, when ovulation presumably occurred), there was a strong negative correlation between GP and the rising E2 (r = -0.94). On days 1 to 10 after ovulation, there was a strong positive correlation between GP and P (r = 0.84). In nine ovulatory cycles in which P levels did not exceed 8 ng/ml on any day, indicating possible luteal phase inadequacy, there were significantly lower GP levels than in another 32 ovulatory cycles with higher P (P = 0.04). These results suggest that (1) at midcycle, E2 seems to "down-regulate" the GP specific activity; and (2) in the luteal phase, serum P levels parallel those of GP activity, even in the presence of high luteal E2. GP activity profiles during the menstrual cycle can be used to define the fertile period, may prove useful in diagnosing pregnancy, and may be a simple, convenient test for an inadequate corpus luteum.     

Effects of subchronic infusion of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate on serum gonadotropin levels and ovarian function in the cynomolgus monkey.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of elevated adrenal androgen levels on ovarian function in a nonhuman primate using a repeated measures experimental design. DESIGN: Osmotic pumps that released dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) were implanted subcutaneously in five cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) for one menstrual cycle. The pumps were filled with saline for the two control cycles, one preceding and the other following DHEAS infusion. RESULTS: Administration of DHEAS elevated its levels in serum fourfold and in urine sevenfold, which returned to pretreatment values in the next cycle. Serum concentrations of estradiol (E2) were reduced by 55% during DHEAS administration in both follicular and luteal phases and were still decreased in the following cycle by 69% in follicular phase and 48% in luteal phase (P less than 0.01). Luteal serum progesterone (P) levels were diminished by 52% during treatment and were accompanied by 56% reduction in immunoreactive pregnanediol excretion in urine (P less than 0.05). Serum luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were decreased during DHEAS infusion by 51% in follicular phase and 58% in luteal phase (P less than 0.01) but returned to baseline in the next cycle. Conversely, serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations were increased during treatment by 70% in follicular phase and 101% in luteal phase and remained increased by 58% in follicular phase of the next cycle (P less than 0.05). Estrone excretion in urine was higher during DHEAS infusion (1.5-fold increase) but was below pretreatment values in the following cycle by 57% in follicular phase and 51% in luteal phase (P less than 0.001). Administration of DHEAS did not change significantly serum levels of sex hormone-binding globulin. The length of menstrual cycles was not affected by increased levels of adrenal androgens either. However, in the cycles that followed DHEAS infusion, follicular phase was prolonged by an average of 9 days, and luteal phase was shortened by an average of 5 days (P less than 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These data document that subchronically elevated adrenal androgen levels in primates: (1) suppress E2 and P levels, which may affect fertility; (2) differentially affect gonadotropin secretion, decreasing LH and increasing FSH serum concentrations; and (3) result in disturbances of ovarian function that persist for at least one menstrual cycle after normalization of androgen levels.     

育龄女性月经周期内及周期间血清抗苗勒管激素水平的变化研究

目的:探讨育龄女性血清抗苗勒管激素(AMH)水平在同一月经周期内和连续两个周期间的变化。方法:选择本院21~45岁,排卵规律的健康女性46例,于早卵泡期、排卵期和黄体中期分别抽取外周血,使用化学发光法对不同时间点血清AMH水平进行检测,评估月经周期内和周期间的血清AMH水平的稳定性,并且分析年龄、体质量指数(BMI)和性激素水平与血清AMH水平的相关性。结果:46例完成了1个月经周期3个时间点的检测,早卵泡期、月经中期和黄体期的血清AMH水平分别为2.90 ng/ml、2.74 ng/ml、2.72 ng/ml;3个时间点的AMH水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。其中29例完成了连续2个周期6个时间点的检测,血清AMH水平分别为2.41 ng/ml、2.33 ng/ml、2.39 ng/ml、2.29 ng/ml、2.57 ng/ml和2.45 ng/ml;6个时间点的AMH水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。30岁及以下女性早卵泡期AMH水平与睾酮(T)和雌二醇(E2)水平显著负相关(r=-0.436,P0.05;r=-0.499,P0.01);30岁以上女性早卵泡期AMH水平与年龄显著负相关(r=-0.570,P0.05)。结论:血清AMH水平在月经周期内和周期间维持稳定,可在月经周期任一天进行检测。综合年龄、AMH水平和基础性激素水平可帮助临床更好的评估育龄女性的卵巢储备功能。     

Qualitative and quantitative changes of luteinizing hormone (LH) in the pituitary glands in female Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata) during the menstrual cycle and after castration

The present study was designed to investigate qualitative and quantitative changes in luteinizing hormone (LH) in the pituitary glands of female Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata) during the menstrual cycle and after castration. The pituitary glands were removed from 10 intact cycling Japanese monkeys and 3 castrated ones: The former sacrificed in the early, late follicular phase, and mid luteal phase, and the latter 8 weeks after castration. All 13 pituitary glands were fractionated by isoelectrofocusing (IEF). The mid cycle peaks of estradiol (E2) and bioactive LH occurred simultaneously in 11 out of 13 monkeys. No animals showed luteal phase peaks in the plasma E2 concentration. Bioactive LH content (IU/mg wet weight) in the pituitary gland was significantly correlated with plasma E2 levels in the cycling monkeys (R2 = 0.974) and it was the highest in monkeys in the late follicular phase. Bioactive LH in the pituitary gland was separated into 6 distinct species in terms of pI values by IEF; A(9.31 +/- 0.19), B(8.88 +/- 0.17), C(8.36 +/- 0.17), D(7.92 +/- 0.18), E(7.32 +/- 0.16) and F(acidic LH). Among alkaline LH species, the most predominant ones were Fractions B, C and D in the early follicular phase, Fraction A followed by B in the late follicular phase and Fraction B followed by C in the mid luteal phase. The neutral and acidic LH (Fraction E and F) was increased more in the early follicular phase and in the castrates. In conclusion, LH species separated by IEF may correspond to the stage of molecular maturation of pituitary LH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Programming ovulation in the menstrual cycle by a simple innovative approach: back to the future of assisted reproduction.

OBJECTIVE: To synchronize the intercycle FSH elevation with exogenous E2 for programming ovulation in the menstrual cycle. DESIGN: Open single-arm study. SETTING: Teaching hospital. PATIENT(S): Twenty-six patients with infertility whose menstrual cycles normally lasted 25-35 days and who underwent our routine programming method for postcoital tests and ovulation evaluations. INTERVENTION(S): Participants received estradiol valerate (2 mg) twice a day from day 25 of the previous cycle until 1-15 days after the onset of menses. Women had ultrasonography on the last day of E2 treatment or on functional day 0 and 13 days later or on functional day 13. Hormones were determined on functional days 0, 3, 9, and 13. The increase in FSH in response to E2 withdrawal was defined as deltaFSH. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): LH surge and other ovulatory indices on functional day 13. RESULT(S): On functional day 13, 73% of the women had an LH surge. Fifteen percent had evidence of previous ovulation with low LH and elevated plasma P levels, and the remaining 12% had low LH levels and no evidence of past or imminent ovulation. Women with evidence of early ovulation were older and had higher FSH signal amplitude. CONCLUSION(S): It is feasible and practical to program ovulation in the menstrual cycle with exogenous E2. In 73% of women, the true duration of the follicular phase (intercycle FSH elevation to LH surge interval) remained constant (13 days). Hence, common fluctuations in menstrual cycle length mainly result from variations in the timing of the intercycle FSH elevation. Although rare, truly short follicular phases also exist (15%). This simple and practical system for programming natural ovulation offers new possibilities for using the menstrual cycle in assisted reproductive technology, at least in selected individuals.     

Diet-induced menstrual irregularities: effects of age and weight loss

Luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), and progesterone (P) levels were followed in 22 healthy, normal-weight women (aged 19 to 30 years) for a control and a diet menstrual cycle. During the diet cycle, they lost weight on a high-carbohydrate, vegetarian, 1000-calorie diet. During the control cycle, luteal phase in 5 subjects failed to meet the criteria: length greater than or equal to 8 days and P maximum greater than or equal to 6 ng/ml; during the diet cycle, the number of subjects who failed to meet these criteria was 14 (chi-square test, P less than 0.02). No evidence of follicular phase disturbance was observed during the diet. Age and weight loss significantly changed parameters of the diet luteal phase: length and area under LH, FSH, E2, and P curves. Generally, hormone plasma concentrations during the luteal phase were lower the younger the age and the greater the weight loss.