Long-term naltrexone treatment normalizes the pituitary response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone in polycystic ovarian syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the influence of opioid system on the exaggerated LH response to GnRH test in the polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

DESIGN

Pituitary stimulation (GnRH 100 micrograms) in a group of PCOS patients under basal condition and after 4 weeks of treatment with naltrexone.

RESULTS

In the PCOS group, the naltrexone treatment determines a significant reduction of the LH response (calculated as the area under curve) to GnRH test, with a similar significant decrease of the LH:FSH.

CONCLUSION

Naltrexone normalizes in the PCOS group the pituitary response to GnRH test, abolishing every statistical differences with the control group.