medrogestone and Gigantism

Plasma levels of histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG) were investigated in three groups of women receiving a different dose of estrogens. First, the effect of low-dose estrogen was studied in a group of 83 postmenopausal women who were treated with 0.625 mg conjugated estrogens (CE). No significant change from baseline levels was found at the end of cycle 3 and cycle 13. Secondly, in 15 mothers and 23 daughters using oral contraceptives (OC) containing 30-50 micrograms ethinyl estradiol (EE) daily the mean HRG level was 14% and 24% lower than in a group of 144 mothers and 134 daughters not taking oral contraceptives, respectively (p < 0.05). Finally, in 11 excessively tall prepuberal girls who received 300 micrograms EE daily to reduce their final height the mean plasma HRG levels were decreased by 68% (p < 0.005). The effect of progestogens administered during low-dose and high-dose estrogen therapy appeared to be minor. The results from these three studies indicate that estrogens reduce plasma HRG levels in a dose-dependent way.

Topics: Adolescent; Age Factors; Aged; Body Height; Child; Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); Ethinyl Estradiol; Female; Gigantism; Humans; Medrogestone; Medroxyprogesterone Acetate; Middle Aged; Postmenopause; Proteins; Risk; Thromboembolism

Up to 1979 growth was inhibited with hormones in 43 girls in puberty with constitutional gigantism. The average reduction in size as compared to the calculated final body height was 7.5 cm, treatment having been started at a skeletal age of 12.3 years and with a treatment duration of 1.4 years. In over 90% of the cases, the first spontaneous menstruation after termination of therapy occurred within three months. During the first two years, cycles were likewise regular in 90% of the cases, with a duration of 4 +/- 1 weeks. Ovarian function in adolescence was thus found not to be impaired, but rather to be more stable as compared to the total population. It may be concluded from this that the preconditions for future fertility can be regarded as favorable.

Topics: Adolescent; Body Height; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); Ethinyl Estradiol; Female; Gigantism; Growth; Humans; Medrogestone; Menarche; Menstrual Cycle; Ovary; Pregnadienes; Time Factors