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Interrelationships between Ovarian and Pituitary Hormones in Ovulatory Menstrual Cycles across Reproductive Age

Prince Henry’s Institute of Medical Research (D.M.R., H.G.B.), Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (G.E.H., I.S.F.), Queen Elizabeth II Research Institute for Mothers and Infants (DO2), University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia; Monash Institute of Health Services Research (D.J.), Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia; and Quintiles Inc. (C.L.H.), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: David Robertson, Ph.D., Prince Henry’s Institute of Medical Research, P.O. Box 5152, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia. E-mail: david.robertson{at}princehenrys.org.

Context: Ovarian hormones regulate pituitary gonadotropin secretion across the menstrual cycle via negative and positive feedback mechanisms. The contribution of individual hormones is complex and is a continuing area of research.

Objective: The aim of the study was to identify relationships between LH/FSH and estradiol, progesterone, inhibin A, inhibin B, and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) in ovulatory menstrual cycles across reproductive age.

Design: Serum ovarian and pituitary hormones were studied in a group of young (<35 yr; n = 21) and older (>45 yr; n = 55) women. The slopes of the regression lines relating the ovarian and pituitary hormones were determined by multiple linear regression analysis and expressed with 95% confidence intervals for each ovarian hormone, with FSH and LH as independent variables. Both simultaneous and delayed (time lagged) relationships were examined.

Results: Clear associations were evident for the lagged prediction of FSH, with significant negative associations being evident with inhibin B and AMH in the follicular phase and with estradiol, inhibin B, progesterone, and AMH in the luteal phase. For the lagged prediction of LH, significant positive and negative associations were observed with estradiol and inhibin B, respectively, in the follicular phase and a negative association with progesterone and inhibin B in the luteal phase.

Conclusions: It is concluded that in the follicular phase, inhibin B is a major feedback regulator of FSH and may also be a negative feedback regulator of LH. AMH may be indirectly involved in FSH regulation.