Changes of serum gonadotropin concentrations in premature babies submitted to phototherapy.
In order to determine if phototherapy was influencing any change in plasma gonadotropin levels, we have compared a group of 8 premature infants (4 males and 4 females) who have been treated with phototherapy because of jaundice, to a control group of 6 premature infants who did not require phototherapy. During the third and fourth week of life, luteinizing hormone (LH) and folicule stimulating hormone (FSH), increased simultaneously in a significant range in phototherapy treated females. In the group of treated males, LH but not FSH increased significantly. Constant phototherapy and/or the sudden stopping of the treatment in the jaundiced premature newborn female is responsible for a marked and transient elevation of gonadotropins. A clear mechanism of the observed phenomenon with pathways including the retina, pineal gland and hypothalamus, is not apparent.
D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D007567:Jaundice, Neonatal / Q000628:therapy*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D010789:Phototherapy; D012737:Sex Factors
D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone