Anterior pituitary dysfunction during the luteal phase following ovarian hyperstimulation

The capacity of the pituitary to secrete prolactin (PRL) and gonadotropins was investigated during the luteal phase of eight normally menstruating tubal infertility patients after ovarian stimulation with clomiphene citrate, human menopausal gonadotropin, and human chorionic gonadotropin. The baseline values of PRL were significantly higher (P less than 0.025), those of luteinizing hormone unchanged, and those of follicle-stimulating hormone lower (P less than 0.025) during the treatment than in the control cycles. The maximal response of PRL to the dopamine antagonist metoclopramide was increased (P less than 0.01), whereas the maximal responses of luteinizing hormone (P less than 0.025) and follicle-stimulating hormone (P less than 0.001) to gonadotropin-releasing hormone were lowered in the treatment cycles. The current results indicate that ovarian hyperstimulation with clomiphene citrate/human menopausal gonadotropin/human chorionic gonadotropin may induce luteal phase pituitary dysfunction, which may affect the luteal phase functions of the corpus luteum.