Abstract
In reproductive physiology the precise role of FSH, LH and prolactin (H. Pr.) has not been clarified yet. In order to know the correlation among FSH, LH and H. Pr. secretion in human females, serum FSH, LH and H. Pr. levels were determined by double antibody radioimmunoassay in normal menstrual cycles and several menstrnal disorders, and also responses of their hormones following intravenous injection of synthetic LH/FSH-RH (LH-RH) were estimated.
Following results were obtained,
1) In normal menstrual cycles FSH and LH showed highest levels at ovulatory phase, but H. Pr. was not seen so remarkable change in menstrual cycles.
2) Serum FSH and LH increased markedly at ovulatory phase after intravenous injection of LH-RH 200 ug. Increased ratio of each hormone showed highest level at ovulatory phase but gradually decreased from follicular phase to luteal phase. Conversely serum H. Pr. was increased at ovulatory phase but decreased at follicular and luteal phase.
3) In several menstrual disorders such as Turner's syndrome, Sheehan's syndrome, streak gonad and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, the response of FSH, LH and H. Pr. in LH-RH loading test was not so good as normal menstrual cycles. On the other hand the response of H. Pr. decreased in Sheehan's syndrome and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.
From these results it may be suggested that synthetic LH-RH release FSH and LH from the anterior pituitary, but do not release prolactin in the females, Prolactin was said to be regulated by prolactin inhibiting and releasing factor from the hypothalamus, but prolactin was not effected by LH-RH.
It is necessary to clarify the relationship between LH, FSH and prolactin secretion from pituitary or PIF, PRF and LH-RH from the hypothalamus in reproductive physiology.
