Basal, stimulated and circadian hormone levels in Turner's Syndrome

Abstract

Apart from hypogonadism several endocrine disorders have been reported in patients with Turner's syndrome.Therefore 14 patients with true X0-syndrome aged 13.3-18 years were studied.Every 1-2 hours by day and half-hourly at night blood was obtained for hormone assays. In addition LH-RH- and TRH-tests were performed. Thyroid function was in the normal range except for one patient. Remarkable high sleep-induced HGH values were observed.- Basal LH was 6.9 times and FSH 25.1 times higher than normal.There was a great circadian variation in LH and FSH levels as found in postmenopausal women. In our hypogonadal patients mean LH levels were significantly increased (2p <0.01) during sleep in accordance with LH secretion in normal puberty whereas in normal prepubertal and adult persons no sleep effect on LH concentrations is seen. This pubertal gonadotropin secretion pattern seems to be independent of ovarian sexual steroids. LH-RH resulted in a 312.6% increase in LH levels and in a 163.4% increase in FSH levels,elevationswhich were significantly less (2p<0.02) than normal. There was a highly significant strong correlation between mean 24-hour-gonadotropin concentrations and LH- and FSH-peaks following LH-RH.Thus, pituitary response to exogenous LH-RH was closely related to spontaneous secretion of LH and FSH.-In animals LH secretion is suppressed by melatonin.In our patients,however,high levels of LH and melatonin were found.

Log in or create a free account to read this content

Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com

Access through your institution

or

Sign in or create an account

Continue with Google

Continue with ORCiD