FAILURE OF FSH TO INFLUENCE AROMATIZATION IN HUMAN ADIPOSE TISSUE

Abstract
Since gonadotropins are known to influence aromatase activity in gonadal tissue, an attempt was made to correlate serum gonadotropin concentrations with the activity of aromatase enzyme in adipose tissue. No relationship between in-vitro measurements of adipose tissue aromatase activity and FSH or luteinizing hormone levels in serum was found. Four of 5 women studied with premature ovarian failure had low levels of aromatase activity despite having post-menopausal levels of serum gonadotropins. FSH receptors could not be demonstrated on whole adipose tissue, isolated fat cells or stromalvascular tissue.