HYPERSENSITIVITY OF HUMAN GONADOTROPHS TO REPEATED ADMINISTRATION OF SMALL DOSES OF LH-RH

The functional capacity of the gonadotrophs was assessed by repeated stimulation with small doses of LH-RH (5 μg intravenously at 2-hour intervals for 3 injections) in normal women during the early and late follicular phases of the menstrual cycle. The results were compared to those obtained when a single large dose (100 μg) of the neurohormone was administered. During the early follicular phase, the release of LH and FSH remained about equal after the 3 successive injections of the small and after the large dose of LH-RH. During the late follicular phase, the release of LH and FSH increased progressively after the repeated administration of the 5 μg dose of the neurohormone while the large dose induced a more pronounced and a more sustained pituitary response. This hypersensitivity of the gonadotrophs is observed when the E2concentrations are higher than in the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. © 1978 S. Karger AG, Basel.