[12 cases of polycystic ovary type 1 (Stein-Leventhal syndrome): complete hormonal study (author's transl)]

Twelve patients with clinic and anatomic features of polycystic ovary syndrome type 1 were investigated for gonadotropic and androgenic functions. Basal LH level was 3 times higher than in normal women in the beginning of follicular phase (16,2 +/- 3,0 mUI/ml). After LH-RH stimulation (100 microgram), peak LH level was excessively high (70 +/- 10 mUI/ml) whereas FSH was normal. Clomiphen citrate (100 mg X 5 days) was followed in all cases by temperature ascension and biologic evidence of luteinisation. Four pregnancies were obtained. Plasma androstenedione was elevated in most cases (320 +/- 30 ng/ml) with elevated urinary androstanediol (80 +/- 20 microgram/24 h.) These elevated levels were strikingly reduced in all cases after ethinyl-estradiol, 50 microgram X 20 days. Physiopathologic hypothesis consistent with these results are discussed.