To analyze a possible gonadal effect on the control of gonadotropin secretion during the prepubertal period, we have measured the luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) serum concentrations in children with primary gonadal failure (PGF). We measured them using an ultrasensitive immunofluorometric assay (IFMA) in a single daytime serum sample and compared the results with those obtained with a radioimmunoassay (RIA) technique. The patients were 22 children with PGF (13 girls and 9 boys) aged 0.56-15.4 years and 58 normal children (28 girls and 30 boys) aged 0.08-16 years. In the normal group there were significant changes in serum LH and FSH concentrations in relation to sex and pubertal development. These changes were more evident especially in LH concentrations when using IFMA. We observed that during the prepubertal period the normal LH levels (mean ± SD) were detectable with this method at concentrations well below the limit RIA could detect (girls 0.026 ± 0.012 IU/1, and boys 0.025 ± 0.01 IU/1), while at the onset of puberty these LH levels rose significantly in both sexes (girls 1.0 ± 0.79 IU/1, boys 1.7 ± 0.7 IU/1; p < 0.01 vs. prepubertal group), reaching similar values to those observed in FSH concentrations (prepubertal girls 1.9 ± 0.89 IU/1, boys 0.73 ± 0.41 IU/1; early pubertal girls 3.1 ± 0.9 IU/1, boys 2.6 ± 1.3 IU/1). At prepubertal age, most PGF patients showed normal gonadotropin serum levels (particularly LH) when measured by RIA. However, these same samples – when measured by IFMA – showed LH and FSH levels clearly higher than normal in almost all – 10 of 12 – patients (PGF girls, n = 8, LH1.1 ± 1.0IU/1, FSH34 ± 30 IU/1; PGF boys, n = 4, LH0.13 ± 0.12IU/1, FSH 6.5 ± 5.7 IU/1). We conclude that, during the so-called ‘juvenile pause’ when the gonadotropin concentrations could be reliably measured, supranormal gonadotropin levels could be observed during a single daytime serum sample in patients with PGF. These findings suggest that during this period of life the gonads contribute to the negative feedback regulation of gonadotropin levels.

Keywords:
Gonadotropin secretion, Immunofluorometric assay, Agonadal patients
This content is only available via PDF.
© 1997 S. Karger AG, Basel
1997
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.