Question:
Hello,
I was
recently sent a letter by the hospital I attend annually for my hypopituitarism
condition.
This
is the diagnosis I was given:
HYPOPITUITARISM
DIAGNOSED IN THE FIRST YEAR OF LIFE GROWTH HORMONE ACTH AND GONADOTROPHIC
INSUFFICIENCY MRI 2009 - ESSENTIALLY EMPTY PITUITARY FOSSA WITH ECTOPIC
POSTERIOR PITUITARY.
Could
you please explain to me what this means and what effect it may have
on my fertility?
Thanks.
Answer:
Fertility
outcomes in hypopituitaric women are about half of those reported
in isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism; GH deficiency (GHD) is
a major contributor to poor pregnancy rate.
In females,
GH has a role not only as a modulator on gonadotropins, mediated by
the property of IGF-I to amplify the action of both LH and FSH on
granulosa, but also, through a direct GH action, on follicular maturation.
GH treatment
seems to play an important role in the sensibilization of ovary responsivity
and uterine morpholgy in GHD patients.
Growth
hormone (GH) is a protein-based peptide hormone. It stimulates growth,
cell reproduction and regeneration in humans and other animals.
ACTH
o Adrenocorticotropic hormone is a polypeptide tropic hormone produced
and secreted by the anterior pituitary gland.
Gonadotrophic
hormone is a hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland and
placenta; stimulates the gonads and controls reproductive activity.
The pituitary
fossa is a depression of the sphenoid bone housing the pituitary gland.
Ectopic
posterior pituitary or neurohypophysis is an unusual congenital anomaly
of the pituitary and is often associated with hypoplastic or absent
pituitary gland.
Hormone problems
cause around a quarter of all infertility cases and the pituitary
gland is very important in this connection.
