Abstract:
Luteal phase deficiency is usually a problem of inadequate progesterone
production associated with inadequate ovarian follicular development. The
hypothesis that luteal phase deficiency results from an abnormal secretion
pattern of luteinizing hormone (LH) was tested in these women. To this
end, the early follicular LH secretion pattern in four women with luteal
phase deficiency was characterized and compared with patterns in normal
women. Blood samples were obtained through indwelling catheters every ten
minutes for eight hours (10 AM to 6 PM), and plasma levels of LH and FSH
were measured. Luteinizing hormone and FSH secretion profiles were
analyzed for pulse frequency, amplitude, and mean plasma level. A
significantly greater LH pulse frequency in women with luteal phase
deficiency was observed when compared with the frequency in normal
controls (luteal phase deficiency, 10.5 pulses/eight hours; normal, 5.2
pulses/eight hours; P less than or equal to .05). The mean FSH
concentration was less in the women with luteal phase deficiency, but the
level was not significant. These data suggest that the abnormal LH
secretion pattern observed in women with luteal phase deficiency is
responsible for their inadequate luteal phase progesterone secretion and
their infertility.
