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  • Title: Studies on ovarian and adrenal steroids at different phases of the menstrual cycle. 1. Dynamic changes during the periovulatory period.
    Author: Aedo AR, Landgren BM, Diczfalusy E.
    Journal: Contraception; 1981 Feb; 23(2):107-24. PubMed ID: 7238039.
    Abstract:
    In order to assess the periovulatory interrelationships between the plasma levels of estradiol, estrone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, progesterone, cortisol and biologically active lutropin (LH), peripheral blood samples withdrawn from 12 normally menstruating women at 07.00, 15.00 and 23.00 h. during seven days of the midcycle period were analyzed. The estradiol peak varied between 0.86 and 1.50 nmol/l; it preceded the LH peak in 11 subjects and occurred simultaneously with it in 1 case. Although the peak levels of estradiol were significantly higher than those associated with the LH peak, there was no significant difference between the estradiol levels at the LH peak and those found during the 32-hour period prior to the LH peak. Calculation of the estradiol to estrone ratios revealed the existence of two groups of subjects with significantly different ratios. In one group the estradiol levels were significantly lower and those of estrone significantly higher than in the other group. No difference was found between these two groups concerning the other hormonal indices measured. No significant variation was found in the estradiol, estrone and LH levels during the day; however, there was a significant overnight increase in their levels during 3 to 4 days preceding the day of the LH peak. A significant rise in 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels occurred 8 h. before the earliest rise in LH and progesterone levels; on the other hand, in none of the subjects did the first rise in progesterone levels precede the first significant elevation of LH levels. In order to assess the periovulatory interrelationships between the plasma levels of estradiol, estrone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, progesterone, cortisol, and biologically active (LH) lutropin, peripheral blood samples withdrawn from 12 normally menstruating women at 7, 15, and 23 hours during 7 days of the midcycle period were analyzed. The estradiol peak varied between 0.86 and 1.50 nmol/l; it preceded the LH peak in 11 subjects and occurred simultaneously in 1 case. There was no significant difference between the estradiol levels at the LH peak and those found during the 32-hour period prior to the LH peak. Calculation of the estradiol to estrone ratios revealed the existence of 2 groups of subjects with significantly different ratios; estrone significantly higher and estradiol significantly lower than in the other group. No difference was found between the 2 groups concerning the other hormonal indices measured. No significant variation was found in the estradiol, estrone, and LH levels during the day; however, there was a significant overnight increase in their levels during 3-4 days preceding the day of the LH peak. A significant rise in 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels occurred 8 hours before the earliest rise in LH and progesterone levels; on the other hand, in none of the subjects did the 1st rise in progesterone levels precede the 1st significant elevation of LH levels. The duration of the LH surge varied between 16 and 56 hours. The occurrence of the peak levels was not restricted to any particular time of day. The cortisol levels exhibited the typical circadian rhythm, but did not show any day-to-day (cyclic) variation. The data are interpreted as indicating that: 1) sequence of periovulatory increase in peripheral hormone levels is estradiol + estrone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, LH, and progesterone; 2) a drop in estradiol levels is not a necessary prerequisite for the midcycle discharge of LH; 3) the periovulatory secretory rhythm of progesterone differs from that of the other hormones studied; and 4) the evening levels of 17-hydroxyprogesterone may represent a promising index for ovulation prediction. It is suggested that the periovulatory pituitary-ovarian interrelations may not be satisfactorily interpreted in terms of steroid-gonadotrophin interactions alone and that for an integrated concept, there is a need for detailed investigations of the regulatory role of ovarian and hypothalamic peptide hormones at the ovarian, pituitary, and hypothalamic level.
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