The Effect of Artificial Pseudomenstruation and Menstruation on the Increased Elimination of Prolan a in the Absence of Ovarian Function

Abstract

1. The loss of ovarian function is characterized by an increased excretion of follicular hormone in the urine (more than 111 M. U. of. prolan A per liter). The increased excretion is probably caused by hyperfunction of the anterior lobe of the pituitary in the absence of any inhibitory action of the ovary on the anterior lobe. 2. An attempt was made to influence the increased prolan excretion by inducing pseudomenstruation or menstruation. This is successful in proportion to the severity of the ovarian dysfunction. If the functional inhibition of the ovaries exists a few years only (secondary amenorrhea), elimination of prolan A can be decreased by administering the quantity of follicular hormone required for indue· ing pseudomenstruation. If ovarian function has never been present (primary amenorrhea), even the induction of menstruation may not depress excessive elimination of prolan A. This is only possible after repeated induction of menstruation. In the castrated woman, prolan A production will not be influenced even if pseudomenstruation or menstruation, respectively, could be induced for several mo11ths in succession. 3. The disturbance of the gonadotropic function of the anterior pituitary is not of the same kind in primary as in secondary amenorrhea. This is shown by the fact, that excessive production of gonadotropic hormones may be influenced by means of ovarian hormones in cases of secondary amenorrhea, but they are scarcely or not at all to be influenced in eases of primary amenorrhea. 1. The loss of ovarian function is characterized by an increased excretion of follicular hormone in the urine (more than 111 M. U. of. prolan A per liter). The increased excretion is probably caused by hyperfunction of the anterior lobe of the pituitary in the absence of any inhibitory action of the ovary on the anterior lobe. 2. An attempt was made to influence the increased prolan excretion by inducing pseudomenstruation or menstruation. This is successful in proportion to the severity of the ovarian dysfunction. If the functional inhibition of the ovaries exists a few years only (secondary amenorrhea), elimination of prolan A can be decreased by administering the quantity of follicular hormone required for indue· ing pseudomenstruation. If ovarian function has never been present (primary amenorrhea), even the induction of menstruation may not depress excessive elimination of prolan A. This is only possible after repeated induction of menstruation. In the castrated woman, prolan A production will not be influenced even if pseudomenstruation or menstruation, respectively, could be induced for several mo11ths in succession. 3. The disturbance of the gonadotropic function of the anterior pituitary is not of the same kind in primary as in secondary amenorrhea. This is shown by the fact, that excessive production of gonadotropic hormones may be influenced by means of ovarian hormones in cases of secondary amenorrhea, but they are scarcely or not at all to be influenced in eases of primary amenorrhea.