Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0042755 (masculinization)
 2,562 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

In order to define the abnormality in gonadotrophin secretion in Japanese women with polycystic ovaries (PCO) who rarely show virilization and markedly enlarged ovaries, basal levels of LH and FSH, and responses of serum gonadotrophins to LH-releasing hormone (LH-RH) or oestrogens were determined by radioimmunoassay. Eleven patients with PCO diagnosed by laparotomy or laparoscopy and 30 normal women in the follicular phase were studied. The mean (+/- SD) basal level of LH was significantly higher in patients with PCO than in normal controls (PCO 28.6 +/- 2.4 vs. normal 10.9 +/- 3.0 mIU/ml), while the mean FSH level in PCO patients was not significantly different from that in the normal controls (9.7 +/- 0.7 vs. 11.4 +/- 2.6 mIU/ml). The mean LH/FSH ratio in PCO patients was significantly higher than that in normal controls (3.2 +/- 0.9 vs. 1.0 +/- 0.3). Exaggerated response of LH to LH-RH was observed in PCO patients, while the FSH response was comparable with the normal controls. Ten out of 11 patients with PCO showed LH release exceeding the basal level after bolus iv injection of 20 mg conjugated oestrogens (Premarin), and virtually the same mean net increase in LH from the basal level was obtained in both PCO patients and normal controls. Since the abnormalities in gonadotrophin secretion in Japanese women with PCO are not different from those reported in patients with PCO in Europe and USA, it seems likely that lower incidence of markedly enlarged ovaries and virilization in Japanese patients may be caused by the difference in ovarian response to gonadotrophin.
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PMID:Responses of serum gonadotrophins to LH-releasing hormone and oestrogens in Japanese women with polycystic ovaries. 19 71

It is noted that advertisements in medical journals recommend treatment of emotional symptoms in menopausal patients with Premarin (Ayerst brand of conjugated estrogens), Ogen (Abbott brand of piperazine estrone sulfate), or other compounds. There are no acceptable studies proving the usefulness of such combinations for symptoms relating to the menopause and no persuasive evidence to justify use of conjugated or any other type of estrogen in the treatment of emotional symptoms in menopausal women. Vasomotor symptoms, flushing, and sweats respond to estrogens. Symptoms do not recur if treatment is stopped after 1 or 2 years. Systematic or topical use of estrogens fails to promote the appearance of youthfulness. Vaginal pruritus and dyspareunia due to atrophic vaginitis may be relieved by estrogens either applied locally or orally. Libido is not heightened by exogenous estrogens but sufficient androgen doses cause virilization. It is doubtful if osteoporosis is favorably influenced by long-term use of estrogens. Estrogen therapy may cause spotting, menarrhagia, nausea, breast tenderness, or fluid retention. Prolonged use may cause increase in size of uterine fibroids. Personal or even family history of breast or genital cancer are considered contraindications.
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PMID:Estrogens and the menopausal patient. 434 58