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Abstract
Changes in the serum levels of gonadotrophins and steroid hormones with increasing
age were studied in 449 women aged 40 and over to investigate the relationships between
these hormones even very late in life.
The levels of oestradiol (E2) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) fell after age 50 and remained low
thereafter. However, while serum oestrone (E1), testosterone (T), delta-4-androstenedione (A) and prolactin (PRL) concentrations
also decreased initially after age 50 they subsequently rose again progressively and
this increase was in fact significant in the case of El. Luteinizing hormone (LH)
and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) rose after age 50, but whereas FSH remained
elevated, LH decreased late in life. Cortisol (F) increased significantly after age
70.
There was a significant correlation between androgens and E1 as well as between E2 and LH, even after age 60.
Owing to the great heterogeneity of the population studied, it is not yet possible
to speculate as to the physiopathological significance of these observations. It would
seem, however, that the negative feedback effect of oestrogens on LH secretion remains
operational very late in life.
Keywords
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References
- The menopausal transition; analysis of LH, FSH, oestradiol and progesterone concentrations during menstrual cycles of older women.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1976; 42: 619-636
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- A review of psychoendocrine research on the pituitary adrenal cortical system.Psychosom Med. 1968; 30: 576-607
- Influence of low dose estrogen on circulating prolactin, LH and FSH levels in post menopausal women.Acta Endocrinol. 1976; 83: 9-14
- Human prolactin and growth hormone release during surgery and other conditions of stress.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1972; 35: 840-851
Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
April 27,
1988
Received in revised form:
January 29,
1988
Received:
November 6,
1987
Identification
Copyright
© 1988 Published by Elsevier Inc.
