Effect of High Testosterone on Sleep-associated Slowing of Follicular Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Frequency in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Last updated on July 2021Recruitment
- Recruitment Status
- Active, not recruiting
- Estimated Enrollment
- Same as current
Summary
- Conditions
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
- Type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 1
- Design
- Allocation: RandomizedIntervention Model: Crossover AssignmentIntervention Model Description: Randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover studyMasking: Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)Primary Purpose: Other
Participation Requirements
- Age
- Between 18 years and 35 years
- Gender
- Only males
Description
During the follicular phase of the normal menstrual cycle, luteinizing hormone (LH) pulse frequency decreases during sleep. These decreases may be important to support follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) synthesis and secretion. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with a persistently rapid...
During the follicular phase of the normal menstrual cycle, luteinizing hormone (LH) pulse frequency decreases during sleep. These decreases may be important to support follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) synthesis and secretion. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with a persistently rapid gonadotropin hormone-releasing hormone (GnRH) pulse frequency, an abnormality that may account for many of the hormonal manifestations of PCOS. Although one prior study suggests that nocturnal LH frequency decreases slightly in PCOS, methodological issues limit interpretation. Our preliminary data suggest that nocturnal LH frequency does not decrease in untreated PCOS, but that nocturnal decreases of LH frequency are restored with androgen receptor blockade (flutamide) in women with PCOS. We have two hypotheses: (1) Prior to flutamide administration, sleep-associated slowing of LH pulse frequency is less pronounced in women with PCOS compared to that of normally-cycling women in the late follicular phase of the menstrual cycle; (2) After 4 weeks of flutamide administration, sleep-associated LH frequency reduction in women with PCOS is similar to that of normally-cycling women in the late follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Women with PCOS and normally-cycling women will be studied. For each study participant, LH pulse frequency will be determined (from 1500 to 0700 h) after 4 weeks of flutamide and after 4 weeks of placebo. Flutamide and placebo will be given in random order (i.e., cross-over study). Sleep will be formally evaluated. Flutamide will then be given for 4 weeks prior to reassessment of LH pulse frequency. LH pulse frequency will be analyzed by way of hierarchical mixed effect models. We will use statistical analyses to determine: (a) whether the wake vs. sleep difference in LH frequency is the same for PCOS and normal controls prior to flutamide, and (b) whether the mean wake vs. sleep difference in LH frequency is the same for the two groups after flutamide.
Tracking Information
- NCT #
- NCT00930228
- Collaborators
- Not Provided
- Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Christopher R McCartney, MD University of Virginia