title: Return of gonadotropic function in postpartum women during bromocriptine treatment.
abstract: The rapid postpartum return of gonadotropic function during bromocriptine treatment was investigated through hormonal measurements in 15 women. Luteinizing hormone (LH) was measured by a novel and specific assay that does not cross-react with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Prolactin was effectively suppressed by bromocriptine and hCG was cleared within 2 weeks. During the first week, both follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and LH were undetectable. The return of FSH and LH secretion occurred in the second postpartum week and initially was characterized by a high FSH/LH ratio. The causes of the 1-week delay in resumption of pituitary gonadotropin secretion are not known, but endogenous opioids may play a role. The possible relation between the high FSH/LH ratio and low LH pulse frequency also is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Radboud University Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kremer
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rolland
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: van der Heijden
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lancranjan
mesh_terms: D001971:Bromocriptine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D001971:Bromocriptine; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone