Beta-endorphin plasma levels in normoprolactinaemic polycystic ovarian syndrome

Twenty eight women with polycystic ovarian syndrome [PCO] and ten fertile regularly menstruating, weight-matched, non-pregnant controls with serum prolactin [PRL] levels below 20 ng/ml were studied in the mid-follicular phase for serum LH, FSH, oestradiol, testosterone and B-endorphin. Fifty mg clomiphene citrate was given initially for 5 days starting on the 3rd day of spontaneous menses or withdrawal bleeding. Blood samples were obtained initially and 3 and 6 months post-therapy. Samples were analysed for LH, FSH, oestradiol, testosterone and B-endorphin. There was insignificant change in the level of FSH between the PCO group and the control one. While in the LH level there was a significant gradual decrease after the 3rd and 6th month of clomiphene therapy. Also, LH/FSH ratio showed a significant decrease. The serum oestradiol levels showed a statistical significant increase after the 3 rd month of therapy while serum testosterone showed a significant decrease on clomiphene therapy. The increases of B-endorphin in PCO patients than in controls was highly significant and significantly decreased after 6 cycles of therapy. However, it remained higher than in controls. There was significant positive correlation between LH level and plasma B-endorphin levels in both PCO patients and control cases. But there was no significant correlation between plasma B-endorphin and serum level of FSH, oestradiol, testosterone and LH/FSH ratio