SEX HORMONE LEVELS AND GONADOTROPHIN RELEASE IN THE POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME

Abstract

The response to synthetic luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone was studied in eighteen patients with the polycystic ovary syndrome. The release of follicle‐stimulating hormone was similar to that found in normal women. The mean response of luteinizing hormone was similar to that found in the luteal phase, but significantly greater (PPPr=−0.86; P<0.001) between basal testosterone and LH levels. These data suggest that the pituitary gland of patients with the polycystic ovary syndrome contains adequate amounts of LH but that the ovulatory surge of LH which occurs in normal women is inhibited by testosterone acting on either the pituitary or, more probably, on the hypothalamus.