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Estimations of immunoreactive LH-RH and LH in pooled sera of girls, adult women and postmenopausal women have been carried out. The girls were divided into three groups: I--girls aged 2--4 years, II--girls aged 5--8 years and III--girls 9--12 years of age. The estimated concentrations of LH-RH in particular groups were as following: in group I--1.2 +/- 0.2 pg/ml, in group II--2.2 +/- 0.4 pg/ml, in group III 31.0 +/- 4.4 pg/ml, in adult women 6.3 +/- 1.8 pg/ml. and in postmenopausal women 16.6 +/- 2.4 pg/ml. The concentrations of LH in the same groups were 4.3 +/- 0.7; 4.5 +/- 0.8; 11.0 +/- 1.4, 23.3 +/- 2.4; and 120.0 +/- 14.7 mIU/ml, respectively. The authors suggest that the sexual maturation of girls is initiated by the enhanced hypothalamic activity, reflected in higher concentrations of immunoreactive LH-RH in peripheral serum.

Seventeen girls with hirsutism and menstrual disturbances aged 16--19 years and 7 hirsute women were investigated. Groups of 15 normal girls and 10 normal women were also included in this study. Serum concentrations of testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in basal conditions and following stimulation and suppression tests were estimated. Mean values of T and DHT in hirsute girls were higher than in normal ones but only 4 estimations of T and 2 estimations of DHT exceeded the upper normal limit. The binding capacity of SHBG for T was significantly decreased and in most cases the results were within male ranges. According to the results of dynamic tests 7 cases of the adrenal hyperandrogenism, 5 cases of the ovarian hyperandrogenism and 5 cases of the mixed type of androgen over-production were diagnosed. The authors suggest that the estimations of T, DHT and SHGB in basal conditions and following dynamic tests are of value in the selection of long-term therapy in hirsute girls with menstrual abnormalities.

Twenty six girls with hirsutism and menstrual disturbances were investigated. The girls participated in 9-day dynamic tests with dexamethasone and human chorionic gonadotrophin and using serum testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) capacity estimations three groups of hirsutism (adrenal, ovarian and mixed) were diagnosed. In the treatment of hirsute girls the triiodothyronine (T3) alone, T3 with dexamethasone and T3 with contraceptive pills (Gestranol) were employed. Before and during treatment serum concentrations of T, DHT and SHBG were determined. While an effect of T3 on T and DHT serum levels could not be established statistically, SHBG capacity increased significantly in comparison to their initial values. This increase was more evident after an addition of dexamethasone (adrenal type of hirsutism) and Gestranol (ovarian type of hirsutism). The employed treatment led to the regulation of menstrual bleedings and in most cases caused an inhibition of an excessive growth of body hair. The authors suggest that the administration of thyroid gland preparations should be considered in the treatment of hirsutism in young individuals.