ABNORMAL PATTERNS OF PULSATILE LUTEINIZING-HORMONE IN WOMEN WITH LUTEAL PHASE DEFICIENCY

Abstract

Luteal phase deficiency is usually a problem of inadequate progesterone production associated with inadequate ovarian follicular development. The hypothesis that luteal phase deficiency results from an abnormal secretion pattern of luteinizing hormone (LH) was tested in these women. The early follicular LH secretion pattern in 4 women with luteal phase deficiency was characterized and compared with patterns in normal women. Blood samples were obtained through indwelling catheters every 10 min for 8 h (1000-1800 h), and plasma levels of LH and FSH were measured. Luteinizing hormone and FSH secretion profiles were analyzed for pulse frequency, amplitude and mean plasma level. A significantly greater LH pulse frequency in women with luteal phase deficiency was observed when compared with the frequency in normal controls (luteal phase deficiency, 10.5 pulses/8 h; normal, 5.2 pulses/8 h; P .ltoreq. 0.05). The mean FSH concentration was less in the women with luteal phase deficiency, but the level was not significant. The abnormal LH secretion pattern observed in women with luteal phase deficiency could be responsible for their inadequate luteal phase progesterone secretion and their infertility.