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Pathological mechanisms in polycystic ovary syndrome: modulation of LH pulsatility by progesterone
Author(s) -
MOLLOY B. G.,
EL SHEIKH M. A. A.,
CHAPMAN C.,
OAKEY R. E.,
HANCOCK K. W.,
GLASS M. R.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1984.tb04784.x
Subject(s) - polycystic ovary , provocation test , pulsatile flow , endocrinology , medicine , luteinizing hormone , ovary , gonadotropin , pathological , amenorrhea , hormone , biology , pregnancy , pathology , insulin , genetics , insulin resistance , alternative medicine
summary The pulsatile discharge of luteinizing hormone (LH) in nine patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO) and nine patients with amenorrhoea but without PCO, who exhibited LH discharge in response to oestrogen provocation, were studied by 4‐h measurement of gonadotrophin pulsatility before and after a course of progesterone injections. No significant differences were found in the gonadotrophin pulsatility patterns of the two groups, although the LH/FSH ratio rose significantly in the patients without PCO after progesterone but not in the patients with PCO, suggesting an abnormality of FSH storage. The ability to discharge gonadotrophins in response to oestrogen provocation has been reported to be present in patients with 3 LH pulses in a 4‐h study period. This, however, was not demonstrated in five of the nine PCO patients despite the presence of ‘normal’ gonadotrophin pulsatility patterns.