Ovarian function after renal transplantation: comparison of cyclosporin A with azathioprine and prednisone combination regimens

Abstract
Ovarian function was assessed in 24 women after renal transplantation who were treated either with cyclosporin A (10 patients) or with a combination of azathioprine and prednisone (14 patients) as immunosuppressive therapy. The different regimens were not associated with any differences in clinical or endocrine indices of ovarian function (LH [luteinizing hormone], FSH, prolactin, testosterone, estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate). Excessive hair growth was common in both treatment groups. Levels of testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone were higher in cyclosporin-treated women but this was due to prednisone-induced suppression of adrenal androgen output in the azathioprine- and prednisone-treated women. Excessive hair growth was present in postmenopausal women on both treatments suggesting that hypertrichosis is a consequence of renal transplantation and is not a specific side-effect of cyclosporin A therapy.

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