Plasma beta-endorphin level in cases of luteal phase defect.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate beta-endorphin secretion in euprolactinemic cases of luteal phase defect (LPD).


METHODS
Serial blood samples from the 18th to the 26th day of the menstrual cycle were assayed for beta-endorphin, progesterone (P), estradiol (E2), and prolactin (PRL) in cases of LPD and controls. Diagnosis of LPD was based on determinations of serum P and premenstrual endometrial biopsy.


METHODS
From Cairo University Hospitals. PATIENT, PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-six women with LPD and 8 normal fertile women (controls) were chosen.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
beta-Endorphin, P, E2, and PRL concentrations were determined by the corresponding 125I radioimmunoassay.


RESULTS
Plasma beta-endorphin level in cases of LPD varied from 2.58 to 9.14 pmol/L, whereas the level of controls varied from 2.41 to 5.57 pmol/L. The mean value of plasma beta-endorphin in cases of LPD was significantly higher than that of controls by 146% (P less than 0.0005). In spite of the significant decrease of serum P in cases of LPD, serum E2 level did not differ significantly from that of controls.


CONCLUSIONS
The possible sources of beta-endorphin rise and its implication in the etiology of LPD are explained.
Shaarawy
M
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt.
Shaaban
H A
HA
Eid
M M
MM
Abdel-Aziz
O
O
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000378:metabolism; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000502:physiology*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism
D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D011388:Prolactin