Elevation of follicular phase inhibin and luteinizing hormone levels in mothers of dizygotic twins suggests nonovarian control of human multiple ovulation.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether multiple ovulation in mothers of spontaneous dizygotic (DZ) twins is because of higher hypothalamic stimulation or is in response to lower serum levels of ovarian inhibin.


METHODS
Serum hormone levels were measured at five times throughout the cycle in a sample of eight mothers of DZ twins and paired controls. On day 12, ovarian ultrasonography was performed.


METHODS
Blood samples were collected in participants' homes except on day 12 when they were collected at the ultrasonography clinic.


METHODS
Human volunteers who had at least one set of spontaneous DZ twins were paired with controls matched for age and parity.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Serum inhibin, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol (E2) levels on approximate cycle days 1,2,8,12, and 21.


RESULTS
Serum inhibin levels were elevated throughout the cycle (significantly on day 1) in mothers of DZ twins. Also elevated were early follicular FSH levels, LH levels throughout the follicular phase (significantly on days 1,2, and 8), and early to midfollicular E2 (significantly on day 8) in DZ mothers, indicative overall of greater follicular activity.


CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded (1) that the primary cause of multiple ovulation in humans is not a decrease in inhibin secretion from the ovary; (2) the increased secretion of FSH and LH may be caused by elevated secretion of, or sensitivity to gonadotropin-releasing hormone; and (3) the elevated inhibin and E2 levels are a response to increased gonadotropin release.
Martin
N G
NG
Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia.
Robertson
D M
DM
Chenevix-Trench
G
G
de Kretser
D M
DM
Osborne
J
J
Burger
H G
HG
D005260:Female; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000502:physiology*; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D009035:Mothers; D010060:Ovulation; D014429:Twins, Dizygotic
D006728:Hormones; D007265:Inhibins; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone