Human Reproduction, Vol. 17, No. 8, 2049-2053,
August 2002
© 2002 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
Inhibin A and B in adolescents and young adults with Turner's syndrome and no sign of spontaneous puberty*
1 Medical department M (Endocrinology and Diabetes) and Medical Research Laboratories, Århus Kommunehospital, Århus University Hospital, DK-8000 Århus C, 2 Paediatric Department, Skejby Sygehus, Århus University Hospital, DK-8000 Århus C, 3 Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, DK-2100 København, Denmark
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess levels of inhibin A and B, FSH and LH in Turner's syndrome (TS) without signs of spontaneous ovarian activity. METHODS: Twenty-four girls with TS (median age, 14.7 years) without signs of spontaneous ovarian function were included in the study. Sixty prepubertal girls (PPG) (10.3 years) that had not yet experienced menarche (all Tanner stage 1), and 34 pubertal girls (PG) (13.8 years) (Tanner stage 3–4), who were regularly menstruating, served as controls. The levels of inhibin A and B, FSH, LH, and pubertal stage were determined. RESULTS: Inhibin A was not detected in females with TS, or in almost all PPG (59 of 60) (P = not significant), and inhibin B in TS females, while most PPG produced inhibin B (53 of 60, P < 0.0005). FSH and LH were elevated in TS, but with overlapping values. In follow-up samples in TS, three of twenty-four females showed detectable levels of inhibin A and/or B. In one of these, 6 serial samples were available. At 20 years this patient had a high level of LH and FSH, which declined, and concurrently inhibin A and inhibin B rose, only later to decrease, when FSH and LH started to rise again. In comparison with PG baseline levels of inhibin A and B were lower in TS, with inhibin A detectable in 23 of 34, and inhibin B detectable in 32 of 34 PG. Levels of FSH and LH were also different, although with overlapping values. CONCLUSION: The result raises the possibility that functional or partly functional ovaries are present in some females with TS, without apparent menstrual cycling.
Key words: gonadotrophins/inhibin A/inhibin B/puberty/spontaneous pregnancy/Turner's syndrome
* Part of this study was presented at the 38th European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology, Warsaw, Poland, August 28–September 1, 1999.
4 To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: ch.gravholt{at}dadlnet.dk