Diagnosis of polycystic ovary disease in obese women with a 24-hour hormone profile after buserelin stimulation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the 24-hour hormone response to GnRH agonist stimulation in the diagnosis of polycystic ovary disease (PCOD) in obese women. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-three obese PCOD patients and 23 controls were randomized to 1 mg buserelin (BSRL) stimulation (PCOD group P-1, n = 31; control group C-1, n = 12) or 0.1 mg (PCOD group P-0.1, n = 12; control group C-0.1, n = 11). RESULTS: Whereas following 1 mg BSRL administration, serum levels of 17 hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP), delta 4 androstenedione, estradiol (E2) and luteinizing hormone increment (delta LH) as well as the delta LH/delta follicle stimulating hormone ratio were all higher in group P-1 than in group C-1 (P < .001, < .01, < .01, = .08 and < .001, respectively), only 17OHP and E2 serum levels were higher in group P-0.1 than in group C-0.1 (P < .001, and = .01, respectively). Whereas 24-hour LH inversely correlated with body mass index (r = .37, P = .04), 24-hour hormone profile, and basal or glucose-stimulated serum insulin levels did not correlate in group P-1. CONCLUSION: The 1-mg BSRL stimulation test is a convenient diagnostic means in obesity-associated PCOD. The hormone response to BSRL administration is related to obesity, not to insulin resistance.

Metabolic effects of intravenous ritodrine infusion during pregnancy.

The effect of intravenous administration of ritodrine on blood glucose, insulin, free fatty acids and electrolytes in 17 third-trimester gravidas was investigated. A highly significant increase in blood glucose, insulin and free fatty acids and a marked decrease in serum potassium levels were registered. No significant changes during ritodrine infusion were recorded in serum levels of sodium, chloride, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. No cardiac arrhythmias or electrocardiographic deteriorations occurred. While intravenous ritodrine administration seems to be safe in normal pregnancy, there may be a risk in diabetic patients, digitalized cases and those patients being treated with diuretics.