Free α-subunit response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone in women with polycystic ovaries

P. Rezai, A. Scommegna, E. A. Zbella, J. Lessing, S. Brenner, G. Weiss, R. Benveniste

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2 Scopus citations

Abstract

The response of glycoprotein hormone free α-subunit to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) was evaluated in 12 women with polycystic ovaries (PCOs). Six of these women were premedicated for 3 days with micronized 17β-estradiol before receiving a 100-μg bolus of GnRH. In nonmedicated PCO patients, GnRH did not significantly alter basal free α-subunit levels. In four of the six PCO patients receiving estrogen premedication, a significant increase in free α-subunit was observed; these four patients had low progesterone levels at the time of the GnRH test. Among the six premedicated patients, two had elevated (> 4 ng/ml) progesterone levels, and the GnRH tests showed no significant effect on the levels of free α-subunit. The study revealed a dissociation between the free α-subunit responses to GnRH and the responses of luteinizing hormone; a closer relationship was observed between free α-subunit and follicle-stimulating hormone responses. It was concluded that (1) the lack of a free α-subunit response to GnRH in PCO patients is not due to a primary inability of the pituitary gonadotroph to produce free α-subunit but is a consequence of an altered estrogenic milieu, and (2) a free α-subunit response to GnRH may reflect the replenishment of both follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone in the gonadotrope.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)249-254
Number of pages6
JournalFertility and Sterility
Volume47
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1987

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