[Hypogonadotropic form of amenorrhea. Features of the functional state of hypothalamo-hypophyseal structures and the endocrine status].

Study of the function of the hypothalamopituitary system in patients with hypogonadotrophic amenorrhea showed the activity of its structures which manifested by the presence of pulsed LH secretion in 70% of women; however, the parameters of pulsed secretion of gonadotropins were disordered: the pulses were chaotic and low-amplitude. Adenohypophyseal gonadotrophs were capable of reacting to the administered gonadotrophin-releasing hormone, but the parameters of this reaction differed from the normal. The endocrine status of patients with hypogonadotrophic amenorrhea was changed vs. that in health: prolactin level was reduced, growth hormone level increased, thyroid and adrenocortical function changed; the pattern of secretion of some adenohypophyseal trophic hormones (prolactin, STH, TTH) was also changed. The results permit a hypothesis that impairment of the common central mechanisms regulating the endocrine system underlies the development of this disease; basing on their findings, the authors propose new approaches to the correction of this abnormality.