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INFLUENCE OF OESTRADIOL AND PROGESTERONE ON PULSATILE LH SECRETION IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN
Author(s) -
CAGNACCI ANGELO,
MELIS GIAN BENEDETTO,
PAOLETTI ANNA MARIA,
GAMBACCIANI MARCO,
SOLDANI RENZA,
SPINETTI ADRIANA,
FIORETTI PIERO
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
clinical endocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1365-2265
pISSN - 0300-0664
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2265.1989.tb01278.x
Subject(s) - endocrinology , medicine , luteal phase , pulsatile flow , follicular phase , menstrual cycle , estrogen , luteinizing hormone , transdermal , gonadotropin , chemistry , hormone , pharmacology
SUMMARY Pulsatile LH secretion was studied in six healthy postmenopausal women. Blood samples were obtained every 10 min during an 8‐h saline infusion performed before and during the administration of transdermal oestradiol alone (E 2 ; 50 μg/day) and in combination with vaginal progesterone (P; 100 mg twice daily). Plasma E 2 and P levels reached values similar to those found in the early follicular phase and in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, respectively. The mean plasma LH levels significantly decreased (P < 0.01) during trans‐dermal E 2 with and without vaginal P. A significant increase in the frequency (P < 0.025) and the amplitude (P <0.05) of LH pulses was observed during transdermal E 2 . The administration of vaginal P to oestrongenized women significantly blunted the frequency (P < 0.05) and enhanced the amplitude (P<0.05) of LH pulses. In all experimental conditions, the mean plasma LH levels showed a positive linear correlation with the amplitude of LH pulses. The present results show that peripheral levels of E 2 , similar to those of the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, can influence the pulsatile pattern of LH secretion, enhancing the frequency and the amplitude of LH pulses. In oestrogenized patients, the increase of peripheral P plasma levels to postovulatory values restored a pulsatile pattern of LH secretion similar to that of the early luteal phase of menstrual cycle.