Changes In Serum Luteinizing Hormone Research Articles

Effects of increasing serum luteinizing hormone levels during early phase of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist protocol on clinical outcomes of the in vitro fertilization cycle

Objective To determine the effects of changes in serum luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in the early stages of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist (GnRH-A) protocol on in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer/intracytoplasmic sperm injection clinical outcomes. Methods Data from 2116 fresh embryo transfer cycles with the GnRH-A protocol were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups, ΔLH-increased and ΔLH-decreased, according to changes in serum LH levels on the day of GnRH-A addition compared with that on the start day of ovarian stimulation. Patients in whom ΔLH increased were categorized according to early-onset LH increases (serum LH level ≥10 mIU/mL or twice the baseline). Results ΔLH increased and decreased in 14.9% and 85.1% of patients, respectively. The fertilization rate was lower, and fewer oocytes were retrieved in patients with increased ΔLH compared to those with decreased ΔLH (p < .05). The number of AFC, oocytes retrieved, and AMH in patients with early-onset ΔLH increase was lower between the subgroups (p < .05). There were no significant differences in clinical pregnancy, early abortion, biochemical pregnancy, and live birth rates between the groups and subgroups (p > .05). Conclusions Early increases in LH levels during GnRH-A protocol might affect the number of oocytes retrieved, but not the clinical outcomes.

Acupuncture Improving Early Sexual Development of Girls with Peripheral Precocious Puberty: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Objective To study primarily on the effect of acupuncture on breast Tanner stage, serum sex hormone level, and TCM symptom scores in girls with peripheral precocious puberty (PPP). Methods 19 eligible patients diagnosed with PPP received acupuncture intervention for 12 weeks, twice a week for 12 weeks, 24 sessions of acupuncture treatment in all, and then follow-up for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the change in serum luteinizing hormone (LH) level, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level, and breast Tanner stage at 12-week treatment and 12-week follow-up. Serum estradiol (E2) level and TCM symptom scores were also assessed. Results Nineteen patients with peripheral precocious puberty were treated with acupuncture. After the 12-week acupuncture intervention, the serum LH level, breast Tanner stage, and TCM symptom scores decreased significantly compared with baseline (P < 0.05); the serum FSH and E2 level did not change significantly after the 12-week treatment (P > 0.05). After the 12-week follow-up, breast Tanner stage and TCM symptom scores decreased significantly compared with baseline (P < 0.05), and there was no statistical difference between serum sex hormone (LH, FSH, and E2) level and baseline level (P > 0.05). During the period of acupuncture treatment, no side effects or serious adverse events occurred. Conclusions Acupuncture is effective in regulating the hormone level and controlling early development process. It may be a viable alternative to the treatment of peripheral precocious puberty in girls. However, further randomized controlled trials are needed.

Luteinizing hormone changes in gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist protocol in in vitro fertilization cycles: A cross-sectional study.

BackgroundBecause of the unexpected and often dramatic inhibition of luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion related with the usage of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-antagonist, there has been a probable need for exogenous LH supplementation. There is a basic and clinical evidences that show late development of follicle needs an LH but there is a threshold for LH requirements during folliculogenesis.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in serum LH and the identification of patients who benefit from the addition of LH.Materials and MethodsSeventy volunteers for antagonist protocol in IVF cycle were enrolled in this prospective cross-sectional study. The study was carried out in Reproductive Health Research Center, University of Medical Sciences between July 2016 and February 2016. Serum LH level was estimated 24 h before and after the first (GnRH) antagonist injection. The primary outcome was the serum level of LH and its change in the three groups and the secondary outcome was Egg and Embryo quality.ResultsLH changes above or below 50% had no effect on the number of follicle, the number of oocyte, Germinal vesicle oocyte, metaphase 1 oocyte, metaphase 2 oocyte, endometrial thickness, and chemical and clinical pregnancy.ConclusionWe evaluated the changes of serum LH in the patients who were entered in the antagonist protocol. Our study showed no significant difference in LH levels 24 h before and after the injection of the antagonist between the three groups, and LH changes did not affect the outcome of pregnancy.

Temporal changes in serum luteinizing hormone following ovariohysterectomy and gonadotropin-releasing hormone vaccination in domestic cats.

Measurement of circulating luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations in cats and temporal changes following ovariohysterectomy (OHE) or possibly GnRH vaccination may be informative for assessing their fertility, contraception or sterilization status. In this study, serum LH concentrations were measured in domestic cats (n=6) immediately prior to and up to 120days post-OHE. Basal LH concentrations of females previously subjected to OHE (n=4; ~1.5years post-OHE) were compared pre- and post-vaccination with a GnRH immunocontraceptive, and to LH concentrations in intact females. Basal serum LH concentrations (2.67±0.43ng/ml; mean±SEM) in intact females increased (p<.01) by 30days post-OHE (5.65±0.87ng/ml) but then declined (p<.05) to pre-OHE levels (mean range, 3.26-3.62ng/ml) at days 60-120 post-OHE. Serum LH (3.84±0.51ng/ml) in four females ~1.5years after OHE tended to be higher (p=.10) than those of intact females prior to OHE. Three months following first or second GnRH immunocontraceptive vaccine treatment, serum LH values in females previously subjected to OHE decreased (p<.05) to concentrations similar to those observed in intact females. Our preliminary results suggest that OHE of domestic cats causes a marked increase in basal LH levels within the first few weeks after ovariohysterectomy followed by a return to pre-OHE basal values over the next several months. Reduced LH concentrations after GnRH vaccine may indicate the effectiveness of the immunocontraceptive in reducing the circulating levels of GnRH, thereby reducing secretion of LH.

Hypothyroidism in Adult Male Rats Alters Posttranscriptional Mechanisms of Luteinizing Hormone Biosynthesis

Studies in men are not consistent regarding the effects of thyroid hormone on the production of gonadotropins. In hypothyroidism consequent to diverse causes, an increase or no change in serum luteinizing hormone (LH) have been reported. The attempt to explain the mechanisms involved in this pathology using rats as an experimental model also seems to repeat this divergence, since hypothyroidism has been shown to induce hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, a hypergonadotropic state, or not to affect the basal levels of LH. Notably, the promoter region of the gene encoding the Lh beta subunit and GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing factor) does not contain a thyroid responsive element. Therefore, we investigated the hypothesis that, in male rats, posttranscriptional mechanisms of LH synthesis are altered in hypothyroidism. We also attempted to determine if hypothyroidism directly affects testicular function in male rats. Male Wistar rats, 60 days old, were thyroidectomized or sham-operated. After 20 days, they were decapitated, and the pituitaries were collected and analyzed for Lh mRNA, LH content, poly(A) tail length, and polysome profile. The testes were collected and analyzed for Lh receptor mRNA, LH receptor content, and histology using morphometric analyses. The testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle, and ventral prostate were weighed, and serum concentrations of LH, testosterone, thyrotropin (TSH), and triiodothyronine (T3) were measured. Hypothyroidism was associated, in the pituitary, with an increase in Lh mRNA expression, a reduction in Lh mRNA poly(A) tail length, a reduction in the number of LH transcripts associated with polysomes. Pituitary LH was decreased but serum LH was increased from 102 to 543 pg/mL. Despite this, serum testosterone concentrations were decreased from 1.8 to 0.25 ng/mL. A decreased germinative epithelium height of the testes and a reduced weight of androgen-responsive tissues were observed (ventral prostrate: 74 vs. 23 mg/100 g body weight [BW]; seminal vesicle undrained: 280 vs. 70 mg/100 g BW; and seminal vesicle drained: 190 vs. 60 mg/100 g BW). Hypothyroidism in adult male rats has dual effects on the pituitary testicular axis. It alters posttranscriptional mechanisms of LH synthesis and probably has a direct effect on testicular function. However, these data suggest the possibility that reduced LH bioactivity may account in part for impaired testicular function.

Effects of Orexin A on mRNA Expression of Various Neuropeptides in the Hypothalamus and Pituitary, and on Serum LH Levels in Ovariectomized Gilts

Orexin has several biological functions, including the regulation of reproductive endocrine signaling, which has received much attention. However, little is known about the mechanism through which orexin regulates the levels of neuroendocrine hormones and peptides. We injected orexin A or physiological saline into the lateral ventricle of 10 ovariectomized (OVX) gilts, and determined the subsequent changes in serum luteinizing hormone (LH) concentration by using radioimmunoassay (RIA). We also examined the expression of GnRH, NPY, and POMC mRNAs in the hypothalamus and that of LH, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), POMC, and ghrelin mRNAs in the pituitary by using semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. We found the following results: (1) Orexin A transiently promoted LH secretion; serum LH concentration started to increase at 10 min after the orexin injection, peaked at 30 min, and returned to its initial level at 1.5 h; (2) orexin A upregulated GnRH mRNA expression and downregulated NPY and POMC mRNAs expression in the hypothalamus; (3) orexin A upregulated LH and FSH mRNAs expression (FSH, P > 0.05), but downregulated ghrelin mRNA expression in the pituitary. No significant effects were observed on the pituitary expression of FSH and POMC mRNAs. Our data suggest that orexin A regulates reproductive function by stimulating GnRH and LH release directly and indirectly via its effects on NPY, POMC and ghrelin expression.

Changes in serum luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations in response to luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) in bull calves that attained puberty early or late

The objectives of this study were to determine if the response to luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) could be used to select bull calves capable of early sexual maturation and to establish the optimum route and dose of LHRH. In Trial 1, at 4, 10 and 20 week of age, 20 calves were treated iv with 2μg/kg body weight of LHRH 1 and 5h after commencing a 9-h period of blood sampling. Bulls were separated into early and late maturing (n=10), based on age at puberty (scrotal circumference (SC) of ≥28cm). At 4 and 20 week of age, peak serum LH concentrations and area under the LH response curve in response to LHRH were lower (P<0.05) in early- versus late-maturing bulls. In Trial 2, calves at 20 week of age were given LHRH as follows: 2μg/kg body weight iv (n=6), im (n=6) or sc (n=6); 5μg/kg im (n=6), or ischio-rectally (ir, n=6) or sc (n=6); and 10μg/kg im (n=6) or sc (n=6). Serum LH concentrations were at a plateau from 30 to 165min after treatment with 5μg/kg of LHRH (im or ir; P>0.05). We concluded that the LH responses to LHRH in calves at 4 and 20 week of age could facilitate the development of a simple test (one blood sample prior to treatment with LHRH and a second during the period of sustained response to LHRH) to select early-maturing bulls.

A pilot study on the effects of a Chinese herbal preparation on menopausal symptoms

This study was conducted to determine whether a particular Chinese medicinal preparation is effective in alleviating menopausal symptoms. Chinese women with menopausal symptoms were recruited to receive treatment for 3 months followed by 3 months without treatment. The severity of menopausal symptoms and serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol levels were assessed at baseline, 3 and 6 months. Data from 97 women with a mean age of 52.3 years were analyzed. Sixty women (62%) were postmenopausal. The serum FSH level (interquartile range) was 58.0 (39.5–72.4) IU/l at baseline and rose significantly 3 months after treatment. The difference remained significant in the postmenopausal group while there was no significant difference in the perimenopausal women. The changes in serum LH and estradiol levels remained unchanged. The baseline menopausal symptom score was 8.9 ± 6.0. The menopausal symptom score improved markedly after treatment and remained at the same level at 6 months. All individual menopausal symptoms improved significantly after 3 months of treatment except dry eye. Most of these symptoms remained significantly improved at 6 months compared with the pre-treatment assessment. We observed that the Chinese medicinal preparation used in this study is effective in improving menopausal symptoms in healthy Chinese women. Further randomized controlled trial will be needed to confirm this observation.

Change in serum luteinizing hormone affects the outcome of in vitro fertilization

Change in serum luteinizing hormone affects the outcome of in vitro fertilization

Serum reproductive hormone levels and sperm production in male adult rats after treatment witharresting, a fraction obtained from seminiferous tubules conditioned medium

Summary. This study used seminiferous tubule (ST) segments from adult rats to condition culture medium that had been concentrated, size fractioned and administered 10–84 days to adult rats by subcutaneous or intratesticular injection and the effects on testes weight, testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and FSH levels and (homogenization-resistant) epididymal sperm count were determined. The conditioned medium obtained 2 days after culture of ST was fractionated in a 30–100 kDa component. The fraction was injected subcutaneously or intratesticularly. This factor(s), named arresting, decreases sperm count in the epididymis from 13 days to 84 days of treatment without changes in serum LH or testosterone levels. The results of the present study suggest that arresting acts on spermiogenesis/spermiation and/or the entry of sperm into the epididymis from the efferent ductules.

Serum reproductive hormone levels and sperm production in male adult rats after treatment with arresting, a fraction obtained from seminiferous tubules conditioned medium.

This study used seminiferous tubule (ST) segments from adult rats to condition culture medium that had been concentrated, size fractioned and administered 10-84 days to adult rats by subcutaneous or intratesticular injection and the effects on testes weight, testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and FSH levels and (homogenization-resistant) epididymal sperm count were determined. The conditioned medium obtained 2 days after culture of ST was fractionated in a 30-100 kDa component. The fraction was injected subcutaneously or intratesticularly. This factor(s), named arresting, decreases sperm count in the epididymis from 13 days to 84 days of treatment without changes in serum LH or testosterone levels. The results of the present study suggest that arresting acts on spermiogenesis/spermiation and/or the entry of sperm into the epididymis from the efferent ductules.

Effects of combined exposure to lead and cadmium on the hypothalamic–pituitary axis function in proestrous rats

The effects of lead and cadmium on the hypothalamic–pituitary axis were studied in proestrous rats. Adult female rats were treated intraperitonially with either lead acetate and cadmium acetate alone or in combination at a dose of 0.05 mg/kg daily for 15 days. Serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) levels decreased in individually and combined metal treated groups whereas dopamine (DA) levels were decreased only in the cadmium-exposed group. The pituitary levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were decreased significantly in cadmium and combined treatment groups. In contrast, lead exposure failed to cause any change in serum LH and FSH levels, whereas cadmium and combined treatments showed significant decrease in serum LH and FSH levels as compared with control. The accumulation of both metals increased in the hypothalamus and pituitary after treatment. These data suggest that the metal accumulation disrupts the regulatory mechanisms of the hypothalamic–pituitary axis where the effects produced by the combined treatment of metals are not additive.

Effects of acute and chronic immobilization stress on rat Leydig cell steroidogenesis.

In rats, acute immobilization (IMO) stress (2 h) induced a fall in the serum androgen concentrations (T+DHT) without detectable changes in serum luteinizing hormone (LH) values. In vitro studies, using a suspension of Leydig cells from adult rat testis, demonstrated that acute stress inhibited conversion of progesterone (P) or 17hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) to T while conversion of androstendione (delta 4 A) was not affected. Acute IMO reduced activity of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta-HSD) and decreased basal and hCG-stimulated progesterone and androgen production. Chronic IMO stress (2 h daily for 10 days) induced a decrease in serum androgen level with decline in serum LH values. In vitro, hCG-stimulated progesterone and androgen production by suspension of Leydig cells, as well as conversion of P and 17OHP to T were not significantly altered. Our data demonstrates that acute IMO stress impaired testicular steroidogenesis primarily at the testicular level (decreasing the activity of certain enzymes), while chronic IMO stress exerts the effect mainly on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis; reduced serum LH levels elicit a decrease in serum androgen levels.

Restraint-induced changes in serum luteinizing hormone, prolactin, growth hormone and corticosterone levels in rats: effect of superior cervical ganglionectomy.

From about 10 to 36 h after superior cervical ganglionectomy (SCGx), peripheral sympathetic nerve terminals in the median eminence degenerate, nerve ending content is released, and a transient period of increased postsynaptic activity ensues. After this time, an irreversible, paralytic phase is established in the denervated territory. The present experiment was undertaken to examine, at single points during the wallerian degeneration phase (24 h after SCGx) and during the paralytic phase (10 days after denervation), the participation of peripheral sympathetic nerves in restraint-stress-induced changes of circulating luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), growth hormone (GH) and corticosterone levels. During the wallerian degeneration phase, serum LH did not augment after stress, as it did in sham-operated controls. In the paralytic phase, the poststress increases in LH attained similar values in sham-operated and SCGx rats. Immobilization stress augmented PRL levels to a similar extent in sham-operated and SCGx rats either 24 h or 10 days after surgery. During the wallerian degeneration phase, a decrease in serum GH levels was found in unrestrained rats. Immobilization stress decreased GH levels to 5-12% of unrestrained values in sham-operated and SCGx rats at both examination time points after surgery. Rats studied 24 h after SCGx exhibited significantly augmented serum corticosterone levels and failed to show restraint-stress-induced stimulation of corticosterone release. In rats subjected to SCGx 10 days earlier, both basal and poststress levels of corticosterone did not differ from sham-operated controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cyclic and age-related changes in norepinephrine concentrations in the medial preoptic area and arcuate nucleus

High-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-EC) and Palkovits' microdissection technique were used to measure norepinephrine (NE) concentrations in the medial preoptic area (MPA) and arcuate nucleus (AN) during various stages of the estrous cycle. NE was measured seven times at 2-h intervals between 1000 h and 2200 h on the days of proestrus and diestrus in young (4-month-old) rats and four times at 2-h intervals between 1400 h and 2000 h in old (20–22-month-old) persistently diestrous rats. On the day of proestrus in young animals, NE increased progressively from low levels at 1000 h to peak levels at 2000 h, followed by a sharp decline at 2200 h. In contrast, no changes in NE occurred on the day of diestrus. Unlike the young proestrous rats, but similar to the young diestrous rats, no changes in NE concentrations either in the MPA or in the AN occurred in the old persistently diestrous rats. These data demonstrate that NE concentrations in the MPA and AN change during the estrous cycle. We believe the increase in NE on the aftemoon of proestrus is related to the surge in serum luteinizing hormone (LH) that occurs simultaneously in this stage of the estrous cycle. The lack of change in NE concentrations in the young diestrous and persistently diestrous old animals is consistent with the well-established absence of changes in serum LH in these animals.

Selected endocrine parameters of the adult male chimpanzee

This study provides baseline data on reproductive endocrine parameters of the male chimpanzee. A colony group of 47 male chimpanzees were classified by age as juvenile, ages 4-6 years (n = 7); adolescent, ages 7-9 (n = 9); and adult, ages 10-33 years (n = 31). Blood samples (n = 112) obtained from these animals [juveniles (n = ll), adolescents (n = 25), and adults (n = 76)] were analyzed for testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). There was a significant increase (mean ± SE) in T (ng/ml) between the juvenile (0.2 ± 0.1) and adolescent group (2.4 ± 0.3) and between the adolescent (2.4 ± 0.3) and the 10-14‒year-old adult age group (4.2 ± 0.2). T peaked at 15-24 years of age and then declined. There was a significant difference in T between animals aged 20-24 years (5.3 ± 0.4) and 25-29 years (3.0 ± 0.4). There was no significant change in serum LH (mlU/ml) with age. Serum FSH (mlU/ml) increased significantly between 4-6 years of age (90.0 ± 11.6) and 10-14 years of age (120.5 ± 8.3), plateaued between 10 and 19 years of age and was significantly lower in males older than 20 years (92.6 ± 4.2). Blood samples (n = 5) obtained from an experimental group of six adult male chimpanzees, ages 10 to 15 years, were analyzed for T, LH, and FSH, Pituitary response to challenge with exogenous GnRH and to hypotha-lamic stimulation with NMA also was assessed. T, LH, and FSH in the experimental group did not differ significantly from animals of equivalent age in the colony group. Challenge with 50, 100, 200, and 500μg GnRH stimulated LH release. The response was not directly dose related. Challenge with 3 and 6 mg/kg NMA stimulated LH release. The response was dose related. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Luteinizing Hormone Secretion as a Response to a Second Naltrexone Administration

Previous studies with naltrexone (Nalt), a "long-lasting" opioid antagonist, demonstrated a rapid increase in luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion which gradually declined, reaching baseline values after 1 hr. A second Nalt challenge, 120 min later, caused only a blunted response. This poor reaction has been shown in this study not to be due to lack of pituitary responsiveness, because LH-releasing hormone treatment revealed a normal response. A time-response study was carried out in order to establish the refractory period length, by administering a second Nalt injection at 0 hr (immediately after the first injection) and at 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 hr after the first bolus. Partial responsiveness could be achieved 2 and 4 hr after the first challenge. However, only after 8 hr was a full response recorded. The diurnal changes in serum LH (nadir at 18.00 hr) did not affect the response to Nalt challenge. It is suggested that in the presence of a Nalt blockade, nonopioid systems are able to "normalize" LH blood levels. However, when Nalt blood levels have fallen sufficiently to allow the endogenous opioid system to take primary control again, then a second Nalt injection will provoke a renewed response.

Diagnosis of freemartinism in heifers born co-twin to a bull

The wide variance in anatomical characteristics among heifers born co-twin to a bull make diagnosis of freemartinism by measurements of vaginal length or the distance between the anus and vulva unreliable. Change in serum luteinizing hormone (LH) in response to injection of estrogen or gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) is different in freemartins compared to normal heifers but is also an unreliable predictor of freemartinism. Presently, the most conclusive way to establish freemartinism in a heifer born co-twin to a bull is to measure the percentage of XX and XY chromosomes in cells from whole blood, which is a specialized and expensive procedure.

Response of the bovine corpus luteum to increased secretion of luteinizing hormone induced by exogenous gonadotropin releasing hormone

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the response of the bovine corpus luteum to surges of luteinizing hormone (LH) induced by natural gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) administered twice during the same estrous cycle. In experiment 1, eight mature beef cows, each cow serving as her own control, were injected intravenously (iv) with saline on days 2 and 8 of the cycle (day of estrus = day 0 of the cycle), then with 100 μg GnRH on days 2 and 8 of the subsequent cycle. Jugular blood samples were taken immediately prior to an injection and at 15, 30, 45, 60, 120 and 240 min postinjection, to quantitate changes in serum luteinizing hormone. Blood was also collected on alternate days after an injection until day 16 of the cycle, to characterize changes in serum progesterone concentrations. Although exogenous GnRH caused release of LH on days 2 and 8 of the cycle, the quantity of LH released was greater on day 8 (P<.025). Serum levels of progesterone after treatment with GnRH on day 8 of the cycle did not differ significantly from those observed during the control cycles of the heifers. Because exposure of the bovine corpus luteum to excess LH, induced by GnRH early during the estrous cycle, causes attenuated progesterone secretion during the same cycle, these data suggest that a second surge of endogenous LH may ameliorate the suppressive effect of the initial release of LH on luteal function. Duration of the estrous cycle was not altered by treatment (control, 20.4 ± .5 vs. treated, 20.4 ± .4 days). In experiment 2, five mature beef cows, each serving as her own control, were injected iv with saline on days 2 and 8 of the estrous cycle. After an intervening cycle of normal duration, cows were injected iv with 100 μg GnRH on days 2 and 8 of the succeeding cycle. Corpora lutea were obtained per vaginam on day 10 of each cycle. Luteal tissue was sliced and incubated for 2 hr with saline (control) or LH (10 ng/ml). Treatment of cows with GnRH on days 2 and 8 caused a significant increase in in vitro basal progesterone production (μg/g) by luteal slices (control, 37.45 ± 2.93 vs. GnRH days 2 and 8, 53.18 ± 3.03) but suppressed the ability of luteal tissue to respond to LH (P<.07). Results of this latter experiment suggest that a second surge of GnRH-induced LH secretion on day 8 of the cycle promoted an increase in basal progesterone production but desensitized luteal cells to further stimulation by the gonadotropin.

The acute effects of antidepressants, maprotiline and amoxapine on serum prolactin and gonadotropin levels in normal women.

AbstractThe acute effects of single oral doses of antidepressants, maprotiline and amoxapine on serum levels of prolactin (PRL), luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) were studied in six normally cycling women. After oral administration of 25 mg maprotiline, no significant increase was observed in serum PRL levels, but PRL levels increased significantly (p&lt;0.05) 6 hour after administration of 25 mg amoxapine. There were no significant changes in serum LH and FSH levels after taking either drug. These results suggest that amoxapine increases PRL levels and possibly leads to galactorrhea and amenorrhea. It is recommended to use antidepressants that do not cause hyperprolactinemia, e.g. maprotiline, especially in female patients.