The effect of combined oral contraceptive steroids on the gonadotropin responses to LH-RH in lactating women with regular menstrual cycles resumed.
The effect of combined oral contraceptive steroids upon pituitary response to stimulation with 100 micrograms LH-RH was studied in both non-puerperal and lactating women with regular menstrual cycles. Serum prolactin concentration was 14.20 ng/ml in non-puerperal women whereas it was 39.37 ng/ml in lactating women. A comparability was shown in the LH response to LH-RH in non-puerperal women and lactating women. FSH response to LH-RH, however, was significantly exaggerated in lactating-menstruating women as compared to that of non-puerperal women. Combined oral contraceptive steroids lowered basal levels of LH and FSH in non-puerperal women and lactating women although the difference was not statistically significant in non-puerperal women. The LH and FSH maximal responses to LH-RH were significantly diminished in both non-puerperal and lactating women on combined oral contraceptives. There was, however, no difference in the mean LH or FSH responses between non-puerperal women and lactating women. Combined oral contraceptive steroids used in this study seemed to suppress ovulation by decreasing the pituitary responsiveness to LH-RH in lactating-menstruating women as well as in normally menstruating women.
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007774:Lactation / Q000187:drug effects*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008598:Menstruation; D009644:Norgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000187:drug effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D009644:Norgestrel; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone