Recovery of ovarian function during postpartum period
Yokoo, Y.; Chiba, H.; Ohishi, S.; Suzuki, A.; Saitoh, H.; Yanaihara, T.
Nihon Sanka Fujinka Gakkai Zasshi 44(5): 545-551
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-9165 PMID: 1619313 Document Number: 389585
To determine the effect of serum prolactin (PRL) on the recovery of ovarian function in the postpartum period, FSH, PRL, estradiol (E2), and 17.alpha.-OH-progesterone (17-P) levels were measured in postpartum women and the levels were compared with those in patients treated with bromocriptine. In addition, hMG was given for two days on the 10th and 30th postpartum days to the mothers treated with/without bromocriptine. On the 10th day, FSH levels tended to increase and the E2 and 17-P levels were significantly increased by bromocriptine treatment and these levels are compatible to those on the 30th day in the control group. Although no apparent change in E2 and 17-P levels was observed before and after hMG administration in the control, a significant increase in E2 on the 30th day and 17-P on the 10th and 30th days was observed when the patients were treated with bromocriptine. These results suggest that high concentrations of PRL in the partpartum period suppressed the ovarian function not only due to the low gonadotropin secretion but also to the poor ovarian response to gonadotropin. 17-P seems to be preceeded by estradiol secretion in the recovery of ovarian function during the postpartum period.