FSH- AND LH CONTENT OF HUMAN PITUITARY GLANDS DURING OVARIAN CYCLE

The FSH- and LH content of human pituitary glands was determined by means of biological testing methods. These studies were done on 35 single pituitary glands of acutely deceased women at different stages of the ovarian cycle. Correlation to the phase of the cycle was done after histological examination of the respective ovaries and endometrium. The specific FSH activity and the FSH activity per pituitary gland remain fairly constant during the course of the cycle. Just a nonspecific preovulatoric rise and postovulatoric fall was found. Evaluation of LH activity showed a relatively high peak as well of the specific as of the total LH activity at the beginning of the cycle. In the early follicle phase there was a decrease noted. This was followed by a gradual rise up to the ovulation. Postovulatoric a sharp fall was observed. The FSH/LH quotient is yielding to fluctations of the cycle which mainly are caused by changes of the LH content of the pituitary gland. During the entire cycle the quotient remains below 1. In two pituitary glands of pregnant women the obtained values of FSH and LH are corresponding to the postovulatoric activity measurements. These findings are compared to previously described studies of plasma and urine. Their meaning for the cyclic course of the ovarian function is discussed. © 1969 Springer-Verlag.