Premature ovarian failure

Forty women with premature ovarian failure (POF) arising post-puberty (PPOF ) during the reproductive lifespan, underwent karyotyping, pelvic ultrasono graphy, hormonal assays, hematochemical and immunological examinations. In 52.5%, PPOF was idiopathic, while in 45% the cause was immunological and in 2.5% chromosomal. The hormonal parameters were characterized by elevated plasma levels of gon adotropins (especially follicle-stimulating hormone, FSH), insulin and thyr oid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and low levels of 17 beta-estradiol, prolacti n, androstenedione, testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. One or mon autoantibodies were present in 18 subjects (45%). Among the antibodies , the most representative were: antithyroid microsomal (27.5%), antinuclear antibody (20%) and antithyroid globulin (12.5%). Ultrasound showed that th e ovaries were of normal volume (3.1 +/- 0.3 cm(3)) in 14 women (35%) and s ignificantly, smaller (1.4 +/- 0.4 cm(3)) in 26 (65%). Follicles were prese nt in 10 women (25%). In patients with autoantibodies, ovaries were of smal l volume (n = 15, 83.3%) and had follicles (n = 6, 33.3%) in a significantl y greater percentage compared to there without autoimmune etiology (n = 11, 50%; n = 4, 18.2%, respectively). Women with PPOF, all having secondary am enorrhea, presented significantly higher levels of total cholesterol, and l ow-density lipoproteins and lower levels of high-density lipoproteins.