THE IMPACT OF OVARIAN LASER-SURGERY ON THE GONADOTROPIN-SECRETION IN WOMEN WITH POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN DISEASE

To evaluate the effects of ovarian surgery on the deranged episodic gonadotrophin release of women with the polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD), we studied 11 patients with the clinical and endocrinological features of PCOD before and after laparoscopic laser coagulations of ovarian surfaces and cysts. During both occasions, blood was collected at 15-min intervals for 8 h to determine LH and FSH secretory profiles and additionally for 3 h during GnRH injections (25-mu-g twice within 2 h) to assess pituitary responsiveness. Serum testosterone, androstendione and oestrogen (oestrone, oestradiol) levels were markedly reduced (P < 0.05 or less) after surgery. Mean LH concentrations declined (P < 0.001), while FSH levels increased (P < 0.01) following laser treatments. The LH pulse frequencies (by Cluster analysis) did not change after ovarian surgery, but the LH pulse amplitudes were markedly reduced (P < 0.01). Lower (P < 0.05 or less) LH concentrations were attained in response to GnRH challenges, and the stimulated FSH release also tended to decrease after laser treatments. Thus, ovarian surgery in PCOD women resulted in reduced serum sex steroid concentrations and in divergent effects on serum LH and FSH levels. The attenuated pituitary LH responsiveness after ovarian surgery suggests action of sex steroids primarily at the pituitary site, while the increase in FSH concentrations may be attributed to other factors selectively modulating FSH release.