RESTORATION OF THE GONADOTROPHIN RESPONSE TO LH-RH AND OESTROGEN ADMINISTRATION IN PATIENTS AFTER MOLAR ABORTION

Abstract

ABSTRACT The relation of the hypothalamic-pituitary effect on gonadotrophin secretion and the concentration of serum hCG after molar abortion was investigated. Gonadotrophin release after a bolus injection of LH-RH or conjugated oestrogens was observed in 17 women until 5 months after molar abortion. Little if any response of gonadotrophin was observed at a hCG level of 100 mIU/ml or more, but the response of LH and FSH to LH-RH were restored to normal when the serum hCG level decreased to below 100 mIU/ml. A normal response of LH to conjugated oestrogens was observed at a serum hCG level of 20 mIU/ml or less. These findings suggest that a high level of hCG interferes with pituitary gonadotrophin secretion, that the threshold hCG levels for normal responses of gonadotrophins to LH-RH and oestrogen are 100 and 20 mIU/ml, respectively, and that secretion of gonadotrophins is restored even in the presence of a low hCG level.