Abnormal pattern of luteinizing hormone pulsatility in women with epilepsy.
Dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis in epileptic females has been suggested in the latest years. To further elucidate this issue, we assessed reproductive endocrine function in 10 normally cycling, drug-free epileptic women and in 5 normal controls, evaluating the basal hormonal profile and luteinizing hormone (LH) pulsatility in the midfollicular phase. Luteinizing hormone pulse frequency was significantly higher in epileptic women with a consequent reduction of the LH interpulse interval. We suggest that epilepsy may interfere with the functional activity of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone pulse generator. The pathogenetic mechanisms for this phenomenon may be the spreading of paroxysmal activity within the hypothalamic areas or, alternatively, a neurotransmitter dysfunction giving rise both to the seizure disorder and to the abnormal LH pulsatile pattern.
Bilo
L
L
Department of Neurology, University of Naples, 2nd School of Medicine, Italy.
Meo
R
R
Valentino
R
R
Buscaino
G A
GA
Striano
S
S
Nappi
C
C
D000328:Adult; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011673:Pulsatile Flow
D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone