ELEVATED SERUM LH AND ANDROGENS IN AFFECTIVE-DISORDER RELATED TO THE MENSTRUAL-CYCLE - WITH REFERENCE TO POLYCYSTIC-OVARY-SYNDROME

The hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis was studied in 12 young women w ith manic-depressive or psychotic symptoms which obviously fluctuated in association with the menstrual cycle, and also in 36 psychiatric pa tients with other diagnoses. The hormonal features frequently observed among these 12 cases were elevated basal LH (8 of 12 cases), decrease d basal FSH (6 of 12), elevated serum testosterone (6 of 12), androste nedione (5 of 12) and/or dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (3 of 11). The se abnormalities resemble those of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A n ultrasonographical study revealed polycystic changes in 8 out of the 12 cases. In 10 cases clomiphene citrate was administered, and was ef fective in 8. In comparison with the pathophysiology of PCOS, a possib le relationship was suggested between the psychiatric problems and the PCOS-like hormonal abnormalities in these cases.