The study of the influence of prolactin on gonadal steroids metabolism by the human chorionic gonadotropin test. Plasma and urinary determinations in 27 subjects (control, hyperprolactinemic, normoprolactinemic but hypogonadic subjects) (author's transl)]

In order to determine whether hyperprolactinemia besides its action at the hypothalamic level, acts at the gonadal level, a serie of 28 stimulations by Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG : 5 000 IU X 3) is reported. The following parameters were measured in plasma and in urine before and during 4 consecutive days following the injection of HCG : Progesterone (P), 17 OH Progestérone (17 OHP), Androstenedione (A), Testostérone (T), Dihydrotesterone (DHT), Estrone (E1), 17 beta estradiol (E2), Urinary Androstanediol (Adiol) Testosterone Glucuronide (G.T.) and phenolsteroids (PS). The test was performed in both sex, in 3 different groups including normal, hyperprolactinemic and normoprolactinemic but hypogonadic subjects (hypopituitarism). These data suggest that in hyperprolactinemic subjects: there is no steroid 5 alpha reductase abnormality in male patients, and there is no gonadal resistance to HCG stimulation in both sex, at least to the high doses of HCG used in this study.