Radioimmunological investigations of Prolactin, Gondadotropins Androgens, Estrogens and Gestagens in the plasma of patients in the operativ intensive medicine

In patients undergoing surgical intensive care, who were not known to have any prior endocrine disease, testosterone and, in some instances, LH and FSH plasma levels were found to be reduced. Assays were therefore extended to other hormones. We examined 10 patients aged between 55 and 75 years who did not receive any hormonal treatment and were admitted to an intensive care unit postoperatively for peritonitis, acute respiratory insufficiency, acute renal insufficiency as welll as hemorrhagic or endotoxic shock. Basal plasma levels of prolactin, LH, FSH, testosterone, adrostenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), total estrogen, 17-β-estradiol, progesterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone were assayed radioimmunologically. It was of interest to note that plasma testosterone levels were reduced in all patients. In addition, prolactin and DHEA were lower than normal in 2, while FSH, androstenedione and 17-β-estradiol were diminshed in one. In 2 patients androstenedione, 17-β-estradiol and 17-hydroxyprogesterone were increased, and in 1 patient either prolactin, FSH, DHEA or progesterone were higher than normal. All females showed elevated plasma prolactin, 17-β-estradiol and progesterone levels as well as reduced LH and FSH concentration. 4 patients had high testosterone and 2 elevated androstenedione and 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels. DHEA was lower than normal in 3 cases. Radioimmunological data suggest that prolactin, gonadotropin, androgen, estrogen or gestagen secretetion may be impaired in patients undergoing postoperative intensive care. (Autrhor)