Evidence Suggesting the Trophoblastic Origin of Follicle‐Stimulating Hormone, Luteinizing Hormone and Prolactin in Hydatidiform Mole

Abstract

AbstractOur previous finding that the intravesicular fluid of hydatidiform mole contains high concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and prolactin (PRL) suggested to us that the molar trophoblast may be able to synthesize polypeptide hormones just as it produces human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). Using radioimmunoassay, we examined the plasma concentrations of these hormones before and after evacuation of the molar tissues, because we believed that this procedure might identify the source of increased FSH, LH and PRL synthesis in hydatidiform moles. Our 4 subjects had markedly elevated pre‐evacuation plasma levels of FSH (9.0–12.5 IU/l), LH (135,000–340,000 IU/l), PRL (1,300–3,800 mIU/l) and β‐hCG (550,000–4,500,000 IU/l). Their liver and kidney function tests were normal. After molar evacuation, serial concentrations of FSH, LH and PRL progressively declined to near normal levels by 9–16 weeks. As expected, the changes in FSH, LH and PRL levels closely resembled the typical pattern of changes in β‐hCG levels and decreased to the lower limits of sensitivity of the assay (<2.5 IU/l at 9–12 weeks). The pattern and magnitude of the changes strongly suggest that the diseased trophoblast makes a significant contribution to circulating levels of the 4 hormones.