Leuprolide acetate gonadotrophin response patterns during female puberty

Abstract
P>Objective
To assess normative data and the usefulness of spontaneous and LHRH analogue-stimulated serum LH and FSH levels measured by immunoradiometric assays (IRMA) in the evaluation of normal puberty.
Design
Prospective. Healthy girls in Tanner I and Tanner II from the local community were invited to participate (n = 47).
Methods
A leuprolide acetate test (500 mcg/m2; sc) was performed. LH and FSH levels were determined using IRMA. Tanner II girls were assessed every 6 months until Tanner V. Girls who progressed from Tanner II to Tanner III in the next 6 months were called Tanner II-2; otherwise, they were called Tanner II-1.
Results
The prepubertal upper limit (CI 95%) was 0 center dot 49 IU/l for basal LH and 5 center dot 1 IU/l for stimulated LH. Taking into account these LH cut-off limits, 72 center dot 2% and 66 center dot 7% of Tanner II-1 and 41 center dot 6% and 41 center dot 7% of Tanner II-2 subjects presented overlapping values for basal and stimulated LH, respectively, as compared with the Tanner I group. The cut-offs for basal and stimulated LH to predict progression from Tanner II to Tanner III in the next 6 months were a basal LH level >= 0 center dot 49 IU/l (Sensitivity = 0 center dot 58; 1-Specificity = 0 center dot 33) and a poststimulated LH level >= 4 center dot 75 IU/l (Sensitivity = 0 center dot 67; 1-Specificity = 0 center dot 44).
Conclusion
According to an IRMA, the basal and leuprolide acetate gonadotrophin response patterns during the beginning stages of puberty overlapped between Tanner I and Tanner II, and the cut-offs of basal and stimulated LH levels to predict progress from Tanner II to Tanner III had low sensitivities for the following 6 months.
Description
Keywords
CENTRAL PRECOCIOUS PUBERTY, LUTEINIZING-HORMONE, PREMATURE PUBARCHE, GIRLS, CHILDREN, ASSAYS, DISORDERS, DIAGNOSIS
Citation