HYPOTHALAMIC-PITUITARY-OVARIAN AXIS IN UREMIC WOMEN

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 93  (6) , 1066-1072
Abstract
Menstrual abnormalities are common with decreasing renal function and uremia. Maintenance hemodialysis therapy partially corrects some of the abnormalities. Since the pathophysiology of the menstrual irregularities is unknown, the secretion of LH [luteinizing hormone], FSH [follicle stimulating hormone], estrogen and PRL [prolactin] was studied under basal conditions and after provocative testing in 13 women undergoing chronic maintenance hemodialysis. Elevated LH concentrations were found in all 6 premenopausal (44.1 .+-. 26.4 mIU/ml, normal follicular phase 4-30) and 7 postmenopausal (246.1 .+-. 171.4 mIU/ml, normal 35-200) women studied. FSH values were normal both in the premenopausal women (7.9 .+-. 4.1 mIU/ml, normal 2-20) and in postmenopausal women (88.0 .+-. 69.0 mIU/ml, normal 40-200). FSH and LH levels did not show typical ovulatory spikes in 3 of 4 women studied. Pulsatile hormonal release was absent. The pituitary response of LH-RH [luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone] was adequate and prolonged, but the response to clomiphene citrate was variable. The study documents the existence of abnormalities at various levels of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis.

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