Hypogonadism in females with Prader-Willi syndrome from infancy to adulthood: variable combinations of a primary gonadal defect and hypothalamic dysfunction.
OBJECTIVE
The variable hypogonadism in Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) has generally been attributed to hypothalamic dysfunction. Recent studies have documented primary testicular dysfunction in PWS males. Our aims were to characterize sexual development and reproductive hormones in PWS females and to investigate the etiology of hypogonadism.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Physical examination was performed on 45 PWS females (aged 6 weeks to 32 years) and blood samples were obtained for hormonal analyses.


RESULTS
Age of onset and progression of puberty varied; most adults had incomplete sexual development. Spontaneous menarche was reported in four (aged 15-30 years) but all had subsequently developed secondary amenorrhea or oligomennorrhea. Anti-Mullerian hormone levels were within the normal range in all age groups. Inhibin B was consistently low or undetectable; only five women had levels in the low-normal range (20-54 pg/ml). LH was normal in most children, but low (<1.0 IU/l) in 9 of 15 adults. FSH was within the normal range for age in most children, but low (<0.5 IU/l) in 10 and high in four adults. Estradiol levels were normal-low and androgen levels were normal in the majority.


CONCLUSIONS
Pubertal development in PWS females, as in males, is characterized by normal adrenarche, pubertal arrest, and hypogonadism due to variable combinations of a unique primary gonadal defect and hypothalamic dysfunction.
Eldar-Geva
Talia
T
Reproductive Endocrinology and Genetics Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, The Hebrew University, PO Box 3235, Jerusalem 91031, Israel.
Hirsch
Harry J
HJ
Benarroch
Fortu
F
Rubinstein
Orit
O
Gross-Tsur
Varda
V
D000293:Adolescent; D050499:Adrenarche / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004967:Estrogens / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007223:Infant; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011218:Prader-Willi Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011627:Puberty / Q000502:physiology; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
D000728:Androgens; D004967:Estrogens; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; C422364:inhibin B; D007265:Inhibins