Suppression and recovery of gonadotropin and steroid secretion by a gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor antagonist in healthy women with normal ovulation versus women with polycystic ovary syndrome in the early follicular phase.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of the GnRH antagonist cetrorelix on the gonadal axis in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).


METHODS
Observational clinical study.


METHODS
Academic research center.


METHODS
Ten patients with PCOS and 10 controls with normal ovulation.


METHODS
Patients received a daily cetrorelix injection (0.25 mg SC at 9:00 am) for 6 days, starting from day 3 of the menstrual cycle.


METHODS
Serum gonadotropin, E(2), T, 17-OH-P, and androstenedione plasma levels were evaluated at baseline and at 12 and 24 hours after each daily injection. These hormones were also assayed at days 10, 12, and 14 of the menstrual cycle.


RESULTS
We observed in patients with PCOS a significantly higher suppression of FSH and LH for the entire length of therapy; LH recovery secretion was significantly higher in the PCOS group. Regarding androgens, we found a greater suppression of T. Androstenedione and 17-OH-P showed a trend toward a higher suppression in PCOS.


CONCLUSIONS
Gonadotropin and androgen suppression by GnRH antagonist is more effective in PCOS than in controls, suggesting a higher sensitivity of GnRH receptors in PCOS to this drug.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Università Cattolica del Sacro, Rome, Italy.
Francesca
F
Sagnella
Rosanna
R
Apa
Maurizio
M
Guido
Paola
P
Villa
Valentina
V
Spadoni
Fiorella
F
Miceli
Antonio
A
Lanzone
D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000378:metabolism; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D010060:Ovulation; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism*; D011966:Receptors, LHRH / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D011966:Receptors, LHRH; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D004958:Estradiol; D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; C062876:cetrorelix