Postpartum return of pituitary and ovarian activity during lactation inhibition with the new dopamine agonist CV 205-502 and during normal lactation

Acta Endocrinol (Copenh). 1990 Jun;122(6):759-65. doi: 10.1530/acta.0.1220759.

Abstract

The new nonergot dopamine agonist CV 205-502 appears to be a promising alternative in the treatment of hyperprolactinemia. Regarding the potential use of CV 205-502 in infertility practice, we studied the influence of CV 205-502 on the return of endocrine fertility parameters during the physiological hyperprolactinemia of the puerperium. The resumption of pituitary and ovarian activity in 18 CV 205-502 treated women was compared with that in 10 bromocriptine-treated women. LH was measured by a new specific assay, which does not cross-react with hCG. This assay was also used in a second part of the study in which the pituitary function of 10 breast-feeding women was investigated. Both dopamine agonists adequately suppressed PRL. Pituitary secretion returned in the second week and was initially characterized by a high FSH/LH ratio. There were no major differences between CV 205-502 and bromocriptine. Ovulations occurred from day 18 on. The PRL rebound at the end of treatment seemed to play a role in the ovulation process. An acute increase of PRL just before midcycle was able to prevent ovulation. Breastfeeding women showed a delayed return of pituitary secretion: after a hypogonadotropic period, FSH returned in the third week and was followed by a period with a high FSH/LH ratio and follicular inactivity.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Aminoquinolines / pharmacology*
  • Bromocriptine / pharmacology
  • Dopamine Agents / pharmacology*
  • Estradiol / blood
  • Female
  • Fertility / drug effects
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone / blood
  • Humans
  • Lactation / drug effects*
  • Luteinizing Hormone / blood
  • Ovary / drug effects*
  • Pituitary Gland / drug effects*
  • Postpartum Period / drug effects*
  • Prolactin / blood

Substances

  • Aminoquinolines
  • Dopamine Agents
  • Bromocriptine
  • Estradiol
  • quinagolide
  • Prolactin
  • Luteinizing Hormone
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone