Factors influencing the dynamics of gonadotropin response following bolus infusion of luteinizing hormone-releasing factor in women with menstrual abnormalities

Abstract

Thirty-five women with menstrual abnormalities were given 100 microng of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) by bolus intravenous injection in an attempt to simplify and quantitate the usefulness of this test in clinical management. Peak and total gonadotropin responses are highly correlated. Peak and total LH are significantly related to basal LH but no similar relationship could be established for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). There is no association between gonadotropin response and prolactin levels or body weight. Basal estradiol levels are inversely related to FSH response but not to LH response. It is concluded that the use of an intravenous 100-microng bolus of LHRH is of little use as a clinical test for the gynecologic endocrine patient.

PIP: The clinical value of the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) test of pituitary function was assessed in 35 oligomenorrheic or amenorrheic women. The subjects received 100 mcg LH-RH by bolus iv injection. A significant (p less than .05) correlation was established between the peak and total LH response and basal levels of LH, though this was not the case for follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and prolactin responses. An inverse relationship was found between basal estradiol levels and the FSH response, but not between the LH response. It is concluded that the LH-RH test employed has little diagnostic value in endocrine-related gynecologic disorders.