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1. The physiological regulation of prolactinsecretion and the causes of hyperprolactinemia are described. 2. Main symptomes of hyperprolactinemia are disturbances of the menstrual cycle and galactorrhea. 3. Treatment of hyperprolactinemia without pituitary tumor is possible using CB 154. 4. In patients showing an enlarged sella turcica a selective hypophysectomy or treatment with CB 154 have to be considered carefully. 5. Suppression of postpartal lactation is achieved very effectively with CB 154.

A new direct hemagglutination test (HI-GONAVIS) for urinary LH was compared with the serum radioimmuno-assay of LH. The pairs of values showed a good correlation of r-0.87. In conjunction with clinical parameters and further hormone determinations the test was of value in the diagnosis of: the follicle phase of the cycle, the per-ovulatory phase, the luteal phase, the menopause, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and hypergonadotropic hypogonadism.

In a study, conducted by two clinics in Berlin and Hamburg, specializing in reproductive endocrinology, the anamnestic, clinical, and laboratory data of 170 oligomenorrheic patients (menstrual intervals between 35 and 90 days) were evaluated in order to determine the frequency of possible causes of oligomenorrhea. Pathological hormone levels were found in two thirds of all patients. The order of frequency of abnormal hormone levels was as follows: hyperandrogenemia (testosterone and/or DHEA-sulfate) in 41.8%, hyperprolactinemia in 25.9%, abnormal thyroid function (TSH and/or TRH-induced TSH) in 21.7%, and hypergonadotropic FSH levels in 3.5% of all patients. There was an overlap of between two or more pathological conditions in one third of all patients. This study confirms results of a previous study in amenorrheic patients (Moltz et al., 1987 - see reference list), documenting hyperandrogenemia as the most frequent abnormality found in this group, followed by hyperprolactinemia. As can be expected, the percentage of women with no discernible abnormality was higher in oligomenorrheic patients when compared with the amenorrheic group (32.3% vs 7.7%). Furthermore, overweight patients were overrepresented in the oligomenorrheic group, while underweight patients were seen more frequently in the amenorrheic group. In view of these results of our study we recommend a detailed diagnostic follow-up in all younger patients with ovarian disorders who need to preserve their reproductive potential. This follow-up should include hyperprolactinemia, hypo-/hyperthyroidism, hyperandrogenemic and hypoestrogenemic states and exclusion of primary ovarian failure. In contrast to recommendations of WHO, issued in 1976, such diagnostic work allows an etiology oriented therapy decision and a therapy risk assessment in subgroups of patients, such as hyperandrogenemic patients, who receive clomiphene or gonadotropin treatment. Furthermore, it permits prophylactic considerations, for prevention of hirsutism and polycystic ovarian disease, struma and osteoporosis prophylaxis.

Androgenetic alopecia (a.A.) occurs quite frequently. Up to 79% of women suffer at least temporarily from varying degrees of intermittent diffuse hair loss in the centro-parietal and/or fronto-temporal regions. A.A. is caused by an androgen excess acting on the hair follicle for prolonged periods of time in the presence of a genetic predisposition. However, often hyperandrogenemia cannot be demonstrated in such patients. 125 women with clinically typical a.A. were investigated prospectively under standardized conditions. Patient age ranged from 18 to 68 years (mean +/- SD: 34 +/- 11.6). Atypical uterine bleeding such as menorrhagia, hypermenorrhea and polymenorrhea were found in 69 women. The hair loss varied between 50 and 400 hairs per day (124 +/- 125). Additional signs of hyperandrogenism, i.e. seborrhea (n = 83), acne (n = 52) and hirsutism (n = 28), were often observed. Basal levels of total and free testosterone (T and FT), dihydro-T (DHT) DHEA-sulfate (DS), delta 4-androstendione (A), 17 alpha-hydroxy-progesterone (17P), cortisol (F), progesterone (P), 17 beta-estradiol (E2), sex hormone binding globuline (SHBG), prolactin (PRL), thyreoidea-stimulating hormone (TSH), ferritin (Fe), vitamin B12 (B12) and folat (Fo) were determined by RIA. FT was also measured by equilibrium dialyses. Different methods of determining bound and unbound T were used; their diagnostic value is discussed in detail. In addition, a combined ACTH/TRH-stimulation test was performed in all patients. Pathologic changes of one parameter were detectable in 26.4% of patients, while 67.2% revealed deviations of two or more indices. Excluding clinically relevant borderline values, only 6.4% of patients were without any abnormalities. The incidence rate of pathologic parameters was as follows: FT in % = 52%, Fe = 42%, PRL = 34%, E2 = 34%, FT in pg = 29%, DHT = 28%, SHBG = 26%, TSH = 20.8%, DS = 19%, T = 14%, 17P = 11%, Fo = 7%, A = 6%, F = 6%, B12 = 5%. Group and individual case analyses revealed significant correlations between (1) the levels of the various androgens, PRL and TSH and (2) the E2, SHBG and FT values; these, in turn, were correlated to (3) the occurrence of certain bleeding anomalies (amount, duration, interval) and corresponding ferritin deficiency. Therapy was directed at normalizing the disturbed estrogen-androgen-balance. Using low-dose antiandrogens, estrogens, prolactin suppressants, corticoids, iron-II-preparations as well as estrogen-containing hair lotions hair loss was arrested in 74 of 104 treated women, while regrowth of hair was accomplished in 16 patients. 14 women did not respond to therapy.