Maouris P, Dowsett M, Edmonds DK, Sullivan D. The effect of danazol on pulsatile gonadotropin secretion in women with endometriosis.
Fertil Steril 1991;
55:890-4. [PMID:
1902419 DOI:
10.1016/s0015-0282(16)54294-0]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the effect of danazol on gonadotropin pulsatility was due to a direct effect of the drug or the suppression in the estradiol (E2) levels.
DESIGN
Prospective analysis of serial blood samples at 10-minute intervals for 5 hours on days 3, 4, or 5 of the control cycle and 2 months after the start of danazol treatment.
SETTING
Tertiary institutional outpatient care.
PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS
Six eugonadal women with minimal endometriosis.
INTERVENTIONS
Oral administration of danazol, 200 mg three times daily.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Gonadotropin mean levels, pulse frequency, and amplitude.
RESULTS
The mean level of E2 was the same in the control cycle as that during danazol treatment (170 pmol/L). Danazol administration resulted in a 16% increase in the mean luteinizing hormone (LH) pulse amplitude (95% confidence interval [CI] 6% to 26%, P less than 0.01), associated with a 20% decrease in LH pulse frequency (95% CI -71% to +31%, P = 0.37). There was a nonsignificant increase in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) pulse amplitude (2%, 95% CI -9% to +14%, P = 0.68) and in FSH pulse frequency (27%, 95% CI -4% to +58%, P = 0.08). The 22% decrease in the mean LH level (95% CI -85% to +12%, P = 0.13) and the 20% decrease in the mean FSH level (95% CI -53% to +37%, P = 0.33) were also not significant.
CONCLUSIONS
The increase in LH pulse amplitude represents a direct effect of danazol on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis.
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