Brain stem auditory evoked potentials: effects of ovarian steroids correlated with increased incidence of Bell's palsy in pregnancy.
To investigate the effect of ovarian steroids on the brain stem during changes of estrogen and progesterone blood levels, we recorded brain stem auditory evoked potentials with increased stimulus rates from 26 women treated for sterility by menotropins (Pergonal and Metrodin). These women were divided into three groups according to their estrogen and progesterone blood levels. The brain stem auditory evoked potential results revealed a significant delay of peak III only, with an increased stimulus rate in the group with the highest estrogen level. Estrogen may cause a brain stem synaptic impairment, presumably because of ischemic changes, and thus also may be responsible for a higher incidence of Bell's palsy during pregnancy.
Ben David
Y
Y
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.
Tal
J
J
Podoshin
L
L
Fradis
M
M
Sharf
M
M
Pratt
H
H
Faraggi
D
D
D000328:Adult; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem / Q000187:drug effects*; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000188:drug therapy; D008596:Menotropins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000139:chemically induced*
D008596:Menotropins; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone