[Steroid profiles in patients with amenorrhea during induction of ovulation with HMG]

Serum concentrations of various hormones in seven normal women were measured daily for 5 days before and after ovulation. Steroid levels were also measured in severe amenorrheic patients during the induction of ovulation with HMG-HCG. Blood samples from the patients of II grade amenorrhea were collected on the day when the cervical mucus increased more than 200 mm3 in HMG therapy. HCG was given after the blood samples were obtained. Ovulation was successfully induced in six patients and they were classified as group I. In 8 patients induction of ovulation did not succeed and these patients were classified as group II. Hormone levels including LH, FSH, estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4), 17 alpha OH-P4 (17P4), delta 4 androstenedione (delta 4 A), testosterone (Tes.), pregnenolone (P5), 17 alpha OH-P5 (17P5), DHA, delta 5 androstenediol (delta 5 AD), and 20 alpha OH-P4 (20P4) were measured by specific RIA. The following results were obtained. Steroid levels during normal ovulatory cycle: Levels of E2 (380 +/- 16 pg/ml), P5 (6.9 +/- 4.1 ng/ml), and Tes. (3.3 +/- 1.2 ng/ml) showed a peak on the day before LH surge. A significant increase in P4, 17P5 and 20P4 levels was observed after ovulation. Hormone levels in group I: FSH in group I was significantly higher while LH was lower than that in normal women measured during -1 to -3 days from LH surge. On the other hand, among the steroids measured, significantly low Tes. and high 17P5, and E2 levels were noticed in group I. Comparison of hormone levels between group I and II: FSH and LH levels showed no significant difference between the two groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)