High-frequency FSH and LH pulses in obese menopausal women.
We studied the pulsatile luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretory patterns, at early or intermediate years of menopause in seven normal women with different degrees of obesity, taking blood samples every minute for 40 min to 2 h. The hormones were assayed with an immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) system, analyzing with the cluster pulse algorithm. All women showed hormone pulses every 8-10 min. In five of them were found periods of discrete pulses with oscillations of high amplitude alternating with periods of pulses of low amplitude. In two cases, the high-frequency oscillatory pattern with low amplitude was found around low mean levels of 22.8 and 25.7 IU/L. The LH oscillatory pattern also had a high frequency, but at a lower level, giving a high FSH/LH ratio. The coincidence index of FSH with LH peaks was 76.6%. We concluded that at menopause, the frequency of FSH and LH secretion increases with a high FSH/LH ratio. Obese menopausal women may have the same high-frequency oscillatory patterns, but at low levels.
Huerta
R
R
Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas, Universidad de Guanajuato, León, Mexico.
Malacara
J M
JM
Fajardo
M E
ME
Nava
L E
LE
Bocanegra
A
A
Sanchez
J
J
D015992:Body Mass Index; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D008593:Menopause / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood*
D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone