Human Reproduction, Vol 12, 1709-1713, Copyright © 1997 by Oxford University Press
RM Cento, L Ragusa, C Proto, A Alberti, G Fiore, F Colabucci and A Lanzone
Ovarian sensitivity to follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) during the early
follicular phase of the human menstrual cycle was studied in six
post-menarchal patients with Down's syndrome and 12 normo-ovulatory women.
Pure FSH (75 IU) was given i.v. to six controls and six Down's syndrome
patients, while saline was administered to the remaining six controls.
Plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), FSH, oestradiol,
testosterone and growth hormone (GH) in samples collected for a period of
26 h after the injection were assayed. In control patients FSH injection
increased oestradiol stimulated area under the curve (AUC). This value was
significantly higher than that found in Down's syndrome patients (P <
0.02), who exhibited an oestradiol- stimulated AUC equivalent to
saline-treated controls. In Down's syndrome, GH plasma concentrations were
significantly lower than in the control group (P < 0.05). These results
indicate that the ovarian sensitivity to FSH in patients with Down's
syndrome is blunted. Lower GH plasma concentrations found in this group may
in part account for this biological feature.
ARTICLES
Ovarian sensitivity to follicle stimulating hormone is blunted in normo- ovulatory women with Down's syndrome
OASI Institute for Research, Troina, Enna, Italy.
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