Abstract
To investigate the pubertal maturation of gonadotropin (Gn) secretion, early and mid-pubertal girls were received different rates of LH-RH infusion (0.01 and 0.1μg/m2/min for 4h) and a pulse of LH-RH (10μg) at the end of the infusion. Serial blood samples were obtained and serum LH and FSH were measured by RIA. The releasing effect was assessed as the increment of Gn during infusion and the priming effect as that of in response to a pulse. Sexual maturity ratings were recorded according to Tanner (T). I) At the lower infusion rates, there were no elevations of LH in early pubertal girls, whereas in mid-pubertal girls (T3), serum LH levels were markedly increased during infusion. At higher infusion rates, these releasing effects in early pubertal girls were about the same as that on LH. II) In early pubertal girls, the priming effects of LH-RH were minimal at both infusion rates. On the other hand, in mid-pubertal girls, even after much lower rates of infusion (0.001μg/m2/min), the increments of LH by a pulse were significantly greater than that without prior infusion of LH-RH.
In conclusion, the releasing and priming effects of LH-RH on LH are clearly seen at the mid-pubertal stage (T3) and these observations may imply that pituitary synthesizing and releasing abilities of LH are rapidly maturing at this stage.
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Hojo, H., Shinohara, O. & Shimizu, M. Maturation of pituitary gonadotropin secreting potentiality in puberty. Pediatr Res 15, 1564 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198112000-00173
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198112000-00173