Abstract

PIP: The responsiveness of the pituitary to luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LRH) during pregnancy and the puerperium was studied in 15 women 18-32 years of age (3 puerperal, 6 pregnant, and 6 eumenorrheic). 25 mcg LRH dissolved in 1 ml sterile water was administered iv to all the subjects. Blood samples were obtained 10 minutes prior to, immediately prior to, and 10-120 minutes following injection. LH and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were determined by double antibody radioimmunoassay. No significant (p more than .05) FSH response was observed 8-10 days postdelivery. However, 2 weeks postpartum the mean FSH response was significant (p less than .01) but not that of LH (p more than .05). 4 weeks postpartum revealed a significant LH (p less than .05) and FSH (p less than .01) response. The response of pregnant women to LRH was insignificant (p more than .05). The LH response in eumenorrheic women was significant (p less than .01) as was that of FSH (p less than .01). It is concluded that, like pregnant women, puerperal women are less responsive to LRH than are aumenorrheic women.