Abstract |
The effects of epimestrol (5 mg every 6 hours for 5 days) on basal levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (Prl), estradiol, progesterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and on the response to LH-releasing hormone ( LH-RH) and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation, were studied in 18 cases of secondary amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea of hypothalamic-pituitary origin, in three cases of anorexia nervosa, in two cases of long-lasting progestin-induced amenorrhea, and in one case of precocious menopause. The results in the first 18 patients indicate that epimestrol treatment induces a significant increase in LH and Prl levels after 24 hours, while the FSH increase becomes significant only after 4 days of therapy. Twelve hours after discontinuation of treatment, all three hormone levels decreased significantly to values similar to the basal levels, while the pituitary response to LH-RH indicated a much more marked LH secretion than before treatment. A second test, performed 36 hours after the last drug administration, again showed a significantly higher LH response than that found under basal conditions. No significant variations were observed in the FSH response to LH-RH, nor in the Prl response to TRH. These data suggest that epimestrol interferes at the level of the centers responsible for Prl and gonadotropin secretion in the manner of a weak estrogen.
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Authors | A R Genazzani, F Facchinetti, V de Leo, E Picciolini, F Franchi, D Parrini, P M Kicovic |
Journal | Fertility and sterility
(Fertil Steril)
Vol. 30
Issue 6
Pg. 654-60
(Dec 1978)
ISSN: 0015-0282 [Print] United States |
PMID | 153243
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Estrenes
- Gonadotropins, Pituitary
- Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
- Dehydroepiandrosterone
- Progesterone
- Estradiol
- Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone
- Epimestrol
- Prolactin
- Luteinizing Hormone
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Amenorrhea
(blood)
- Anorexia Nervosa
(blood)
- Dehydroepiandrosterone
(blood)
- Epimestrol
(pharmacology)
- Estradiol
(blood)
- Estrenes
(pharmacology)
- Female
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone
(blood)
- Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
(pharmacology)
- Gonadotropins, Pituitary
(blood)
- Humans
- Luteinizing Hormone
(blood)
- Menstruation Disturbances
(blood)
- Oligomenorrhea
(blood)
- Progesterone
(blood)
- Prolactin
(blood)
- Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone
(pharmacology)
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