title: [Patients with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea are characterized by low serum inhibin B concentrations].
abstract: Functional hypothalamic disturbances may be the cause of secondary amenorrhea and are related to aberration in both the pattern of pulsatility and amplitude in the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in hypothalamus. Inhibin B, as an ovarian peptide plays a crucial role in reproduction function throughout regulation of folliculotropin (FSH) pituitary production and inhibiting GnRH secretion during the menstrual cycle.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To measure and estimate serum inhibin B concentration in patients with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea. Material and methods. The study included 41 women suffering from functional hypothalamic amenorrhea. Secondary amenorrhea was defined as the lack of menstruation lasting at least 90 days not due to pregnancy, characterized by low serum concentrations of lutropin (LH < 5 mIU/ml)) and typical for functional hypothalamic disturbances anamnestic investigation. The control group consists of 40 healthy women with normal menstrual cycles and Body Mass Index (BMI between 18.5- 24.9 kg/m2). Medical history, examination and laboratory analysis of LH, FSH, estradiol (E), prolactin, testosterone and inhibin B were performed (ELISA--enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There are statistically lower serum inhibin B, FSH, LH, estradiol and prolactin concentrations in patients with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea in comparison to healthy women. Positive correlation between serum concentration of inhibin B and estradiol concentration was found in patients with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea are characterized by statistical significant decrease in serum inhibin B concentration in comparison to the control group.
authors.affiliation: Katedra i Klinika Endokrynologii Ginekologicznej Uniwersytetu Medycznego, Karola Marcinkowskiego, Poznaniu, Polska, Poland. [corrected]
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Podfigurna-Stopa
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Luisi
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lazzeri
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ciani
authors.forename: Błazej
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meczekalski
authors.forename: Felice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Petraglia
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D007027:Hypothalamic Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C422364:inhibin B; D004958:Estradiol; D007265:Inhibins; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone