Gonadotropic Hormone: Urine Assays during the Menstrual Cycle in Normal Women

Abstract

Urine assays during 22 complete menstrual cycles in 19 normal young [female][female] revealed an excretion at low levels throughout the menstrual cycle. Cyclic appearance of increased amts. occurred in all but 1 case. However, the pattern of periodic excretion of urinary gonadotrophin varied greatly not only as to time relationships, but also as to number and magnitude of peaks. In 3 subjects high levels of excretion were sustained until the 4th week. Three $$ whose urines were assayed through 2 consecutive cycles followed closely their preceding excretion patterns in the second cycle. There is no distinct pattern of gonadotrophic excretion that may be classed as normal, and any pattern of excretion, as long as it falls into the wide limits of apparently normal values, must be considered normal. In view of the variability of periodic excretion, it appears unlikely that urinary gonadotrophin detns. will be of any clinical diagnostic value except in the extremes of gonadal dysfunction. The possible correlation between gonadotrophin excretion and ovulation, and possible mechanisms concerned in the character of excretion are discussed.