KLINISCH-EXPERIMENTELLE STUDIEN MIT MENSCHLICHEM HYPOPHYSÄREM GONADOTROPIN

Abstract

ABSTRACT Gonadotrophin extracted from human hypophyses (HHG) was administered in clinical trials to 5 amenorrhoic women. Gonadotrophin levels in the blood and urine and the urinary excretion of oestrogen, pregnanediol, 17-hydroxycorticosteroids, 17-ketosteroids and pregnanetriol were determined before, during and after treatment. Clinical control methods included endometrial biopsy and vaginal smear examination. Following the i. m. administration of HHG the gonadotrophin excretion increased markedly within the first 24 hours. Plasma gonadotrophin increased to substantially higher levels within 4–6 hours after the first injection. After cessation of treatment both plasma and urine gonadotrophin concentration returned slowly within 2–4 days to the pre-treatment levels. Following treatment, all 4 patients with hypogonadotrophic amenorrhoea (primary pituitary insufficiency) responded by an increased oestrogen and pregnanediol production. It would seem therefore that HHG-treatment had succeeded in producing ovulation. The single case of hypergonadotrophic amenorrhoea (primary ovarian insufficiency) showed no response in this respect. No change in 17-OHCS excretion was effected by the HHG-treatment. Changes in 17-ketosteroids and pregnanetriol excretion did not show a constant pattern. The clinical effects obtained in the 4 hypogonadotrophic amenorrhoea cases are confirmed in that ovulation was induced by means of the treatment.