title: Premature ovarian failure.
abstract: Forty women with premature ovarian failure (POF) arising post-puberty (PPOF) during the reproductive lifespan, underwent karyotyping, pelvic ultrasonography, hormonal assays, hematochemical and immunological examinations. In 52.5%, PPOF was idiopathic, while in 45% the cause was immunological and in 2.5% chromosomal. The hormonal parameters were characterized by elevated plasma levels of gonadotropins (especially follicle-stimulating hormone, FSH), insulin and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and low levels of 17 beta-estradiol, prolactin, androstenedione, testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. One or more autoantibodies were present in 18 subjects (45%). Among the antibodies, the most representative were: antithyroid microsomal (27.5%), antinuclear antibody (20%) and antithyroid globulin (12.5%). Ultrasound showed that the ovaries were of normal volume (3.1 +/- 0.3 cm3) in 14 women (35%) and significantly smaller (1.4 +/- 0.4 cm3) in 26 (65%). Follicles were present in 10 women (25%). In patients with autoantibodies, ovaries were of small volume (n = 15, 83.3%) and had follicles (n = 6, 33.3%) in a significantly greater percentage compared to those without autoimmune etiology (n = 11, 50%; n = 4, 18.2%, respectively). Women with PPOF, all having secondary amenorrhea, presented significantly higher levels of total cholesterol, and low-density lipoproteins and lower levels of high-density lipoproteins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, University of Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Falsetti
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scalchi
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Villani
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bugari
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007621:Karyotyping; D010053:Ovary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016649:Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D006728:Hormones