Determination of serum luteinizing hormone (SLH) by radioimmunoassay in disorders of adolescent sexual development.

Abstract

Extract: Serum luteinizing hormone (SLH) values in children with various clinical disorders of sexual development are reported and compared with serum levels in normal people at ages. Values were determined by a double antibody radioimmunoassay method.In 51 patients aged 2–38 years with gonadal dysgenesis, 131 serial determinations revealed a singnificant increase in mean SLH at a prepubertal age of 2–9 years, as compared with the mean SLH in control patients in the same age range (fig. 1). Beyond 9 years of age, most values were greater then the normal levels for these ages. In 50% of the patients 16 years of age and older, cyclic estrogen therapy (1.25 mg/24 h) did not suppress the markedly elevated SLH values.In isosexual precocity, the mean of 48 SLH determinations in 34 females (2 3/12–12 10/12 years of age) was significantly increased for age in both menstruating and nonmenstruating patients (fig.2). The mean SLH for 13 values obtained from nine patients receiving Depo-provera (medroxyprogesterone) was significantly higher than of control patients of comparable age. SLH values for all patients with idiopathic sexual precocity were in normal range for stage of sexual development, irrespective of age.SLH in nine patients with premature pubarche and in eight with premature thelarche were in the normal range for age (fig.3). In 52 boys with constitutional delay of growth and adolescence, the mean of 95 serial determination was significantly lower the mean SLH for comparable ages (fig.4). The values increased as sexual development advaanced. SLH values for six patients with adolescent gynecomastia were in the normal range for age.Measurment of SLH by radioimmunoassay correlated weel with clinical status. Determination of SLH may help evaluate patients with clinical disorders of adolescent sexual development.Speculation: The measurment of gonadotropins using the radioimmunoassay technique can provide valuable information for base-lines studies. Such studies are preparatory and necessary to investigate and eluci-date the interrelation of the cerebral cortex, hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenals, and gonads. It is anticipated that centers of inhibition and secretion, under both hormonal and emotional control, will be found and that the physiolohy and pathophysiology of normal and abnormal adolescent development will be beter understood.