Abstract
Glycoprotein hormones share a common α subunit but each has a β subunit which confers biologic and immunologic specificity. Elevated plasma LH and FSH in hypergonadotropic hypogonadism can be lowered by estrogen therapy, but the change in circulating plasma α with therapy is undefined. We administered 100 ug LRF IV to 7 normal girls 12-18 yrs (Norm) and to 7 patients 12-20 yrs with gonadal dysgenesis (GD) before and during (GD-RX) 9 months of 0.3 rag/day of oral conjugated estrogens and found:
The cross reaction (<10%) of LH or FSH in the α radioimmunoassay did not account for the α levels. A difference in time of peak α levels was seen in GD and GD-RX compared to normal. In conclusion: 1) Basal and LRF stimulated α are significantly higher in GD than normal girls but low dose estrogen therapy lowers α levels to normal. 2) α is released from the pituitary independently of LH or FSH. 3) Estrogen lowers basal LH and FSH in GD-RX and decreases the gonadotropin hyperresponse to LRF.
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Styne, D., Conte, F., Kaplan, S. et al. ALPHA GLYCOPROTEIN HORMONE SUBUNIT (α) AFTER LRF IN UNTREATED AND ESTROGEN TREATED GONADAL DYSGENESIS. Pediatr Res 11, 432 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00376
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00376