Inhibin A and B in adolescents and young adults with Turner's syndrome and no sign of spontaneous puberty.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to assess levels of inhibin A and B, FSH and LH in Turner's syndrome (TS) without signs of spontaneous ovarian activity.


METHODS
Twenty-four girls with TS (median age, 14.7 years) without signs of spontaneous ovarian function were included in the study. Sixty prepubertal girls (PPG) (10.3 years) that had not yet experienced menarche (all Tanner stage 1), and 34 pubertal girls (PG) (13.8 years) (Tanner stage 3-4), who were regularly menstruating, served as controls. The levels of inhibin A and B, FSH, LH, and pubertal stage were determined.


RESULTS
Inhibin A was not detected in females with TS, or in almost all PPG (59 of 60) (P = not significant), and inhibin B in TS females, while most PPG produced inhibin B (53 of 60, P < 0.0005). FSH and LH were elevated in TS, but with overlapping values. In follow-up samples in TS, three of twenty-four females showed detectable levels of inhibin A and/or B. In one of these, 6 serial samples were available. At 20 years this patient had a high level of LH and FSH, which declined, and concurrently inhibin A and inhibin B rose, only later to decrease, when FSH and LH started to rise again. In comparison with PG baseline levels of inhibin A and B were lower in TS, with inhibin A detectable in 23 of 34, and inhibin B detectable in 32 of 34 PG. Levels of FSH and LH were also different, although with overlapping values.


CONCLUSIONS
The result raises the possibility that functional or partly functional ovaries are present in some females with TS, without apparent menstrual cycling.
Gravholt
Claus Højbjerg
CH
Medical department M (Endocrinology and Diabetes) and Medical Research Laboratories, Arhus Kommunehospital, Arhus University Hospital, DK-8000 Arhus C, Denmark. E-mail: ch.gravholt@dadlnet.dk
Naeraa
Rune Weis
RW
Andersson
Anna-Maria
AM
Christiansen
Jens Sandahl
JS
Skakkebaek
Niels Erik
NE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008572:Menarche; D011627:Puberty / Q000097:blood; D014424:Turner Syndrome / Q000097:blood*
C422362:inhibin A; C422364:inhibin B; D007265:Inhibins; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone