THE FEMINISATION OF GONADOTROPHIN RESPONSES IN INTACT MALE TRANSSEXUALS

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
In castrated animals and hypogonadal men other workers have shown an LH [luteinizing hormone] surge following estrogen administration similar to that found in the normal female. However, there is no evidence that this can be achieved in intact males. Male transsexual patients were studied before and after chronic estrogen therapy given for at least 3 mo. to feminize the body habitus before undergoing plastic surgery. Subjects were assessed for the acute effects of estradiol valerate on sex steroid hormone levels and gonadotropin responses to gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Long-term treatment could transform the normal male pattern of a suppressive effect of estrogen on gonadotropin release to one where the estrogen increased LH levels and amplified the effect of LHRH on gonadotropin release. This pattern is similar to that found in normal women and indicates that long-term estrogen treatment to males can feminize gonadotropin responses.