Subcutaneous administration of pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone decreases serum follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a preliminary study

Abstract

Objective: The main objectives of this study were to investigate whether [1] subcutaneous (SC) administration of pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) decreases the increased levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) observed in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); and [2] GnRH administration modifies the pattern of LH secretion observed in these patients.

Design: Serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and LH levels and LH pulse amplitude and pulse interval were determined in 13 patients with PCOS during the first 3 days of the cycle following the administration of 10 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate during 5 days.

Setting: Infertility clinic.

Patient(s): Thirteen women with PCOS.

Intervention(s): Determination of FSH and LH serum levels after SC administration of pulsatile GnRH.

Main outcome measure(s): The FSH and LH levels in serum.

Result(s): Mean FSH and LH levels in serum decreased following the administration of subcutaneous pulsatile GnRH in all treated women compared with baseline values. The LH pulse amplitude and pulse interval decreased in all patients following the administration of pulsatile GnRH.

Conclusion(s): The SC administration of pulsatile GnRH in women with PCOS significantly decreases FSH and LH levels in serum. A decrease in the secretion of gonadotropins, without reaching the intense suppression observed with GnRH analogues, could be of great utility in in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments.