Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol 42, 144-148, Copyright © 1976 by Endocrine Society
Influence of surgical stress under general anesthesia on serum gonadotropin levels in male and female patients
T Aono, K Kurachi, M Miyata, A Nakasima and K Koshiyama
Effects of surgical stress under the same general anesthesia (nitrous
oxide, oxygen and halothane following induction with thiopental and
succinylcholine chloride) on serum LH levels were studied in 18
postmenopausal females, 15 menstruating females and 17 males. In addition,
serum FSH levels in female patients and testosterone levels in male
patients were estimated. As controls without surgery and anesthesia, serum
levels of LH, FSH and testosterone were estimated at identical time
intervals to the experimental group in 15 normal postmenopausal females, 15
normal menstruating females and 10 normal males. In male patients, serum LH
levels at 30 min and 1 hr after onset of anesthesia increased significantly
over those of pre-anesthesia, while no significant intra-operative increase
in LH levels was found in female patients. In male and female patients, the
LH levels decreased slightly 5-6h and 2 days after onset of anesthesia,
though the decreases were not statistically significant except in
postmenopausal females. On the 7th postoperative day, the LH levels
returned toward the baseline. In female patients, no significant
intra-operative changes in FSH levels were found. In male patients, there
were significant intra- and post-operative decreases in testosterone
levels. In control subjects, no significant changes in serum levels of LH,
FSH and testosterone were demonstrated. These observations suggest that
significant intraoperative increases in serum LH levels occur in males but
not in females.
