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Horm Metab Res 2001; 33(4): 216-220
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-14945
Original Clinical
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Hyperprolactinemia and Luteal Insufficiency in Infertile Patients with Mild and Minimal Endometriosis[1]

J. S.L.  Cunha-Filho 1 , J. L. Gross 2 , N. A. Lemos 1 , A. Brandelli 1 , M. Castillos 2 , E. P. Passos 1
  • 1 Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
  • 2 Endocrinology Division, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2001 (online)

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The objective of the present paper was to assess the presence of hormonal alterations in infertile women with stage I or II endometriosis (Group III, n = 20) compared to fertile women without endometriosis (Group I, n = 14) and to fertile women with endometriosis (Group II, n = 7). Serum levels of FSH, LH, estradiol, TSH, and PRL were measured between days 1 and 5 of the early follicular phase; in the luteal phase, three serum samples were collected for progesterone measurement, and endometrial biopsies were performed. Serum estradiol levels were lower (p = 0.035) in infertile patients with endometriosis than in fertile patients without endometriosis. Six infertile patients with endometriosis presented prolactin levels above 20 ng/ml. This was not observed in the other groups. Luteal insufficiency was more frequent in infertile patients with endometriosis (78.9 %) than in fertile patients with (42.9 %) or without endometriosis (0 %). In a multiple logistic regression analysis, only the presence of endometriosis and infertility was significantly associated with luteal insufficiency. The serum levels of LH, FSH, and TSH were not significantly different among the groups. Luteal insufficiency and altered prolactin secretion were associated with endometriosis, and could be important mechanisms causing infertility in this group of patients.

Key words:

Hormonal Alterations - Progesterone - Endometrial Biopsy - Prolactin

1 Supported by Fundo de Incentivo à Pesquisa, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil).

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1 Supported by Fundo de Incentivo à Pesquisa, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil).

Dr. E. P. Passos

Departamento de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia
Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre

Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2350 - 11° andar
90035-003 Porto Alegre
RS - Brazil


Phone: Phone:+ 55 (51) 346-7155

Fax: Fax:+ 55 (51) 346-7155

Email: E-mail:epp@via-rs.net

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