Retardation in gonadotropin-secreting function of the pituitary during the early puerperium in women with postpartum hemorrhage but without circulatory collapse.
Recovery of gonadotropin-secreting function of the pituitary during the early puerperium has been studied in women with postpartum hemorrhage of 500 g and more during the first 2 h after expulsion of the placenta but without circulatory collapse. On day 4 postpartum, the concentrations of erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and hematocrit were significantly lower in puerperal women with postpartum hemorrhage than in normal puerperal women. On day 20 postpartum, administration of 100 micrograms synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) significantly increased serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), but not luteinizing hormone, in puerperal women with severe postpartum hemorrhage of more than 1,000 g, but the FSH response to LHRH was significantly lower in these women than in normal women on the same postpartum day. All puerperal women were lactating and there was no significant difference in serum prolactin levels between normal puerperal women and puerperal women with postpartum hemorrhage. These results indicate that blood loss in the amount of more than 1,000 g during the first 2 h after expulsion of the placenta may cause perturbation to some extent in recovery of gonadotropin-secreting function of the pituitary during the early puerperium, even if there are no complications by circulatory collapse and disabled lactation.
D000328:Adult; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000378:metabolism*; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors
D006454:Hemoglobins; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone