The Stein-Leventhal syndrome: a neuropituitary disorder.

Hypothalamic and pituitary gonadotropin function and responsiveness in four patients with well-documented Stein-Leventhal syndrome were studied. All patients were of reproductive age and had had menstrual disorders since menarche. Estrogen production was assessed by measuring the circulating levels of immunoreactive estradiol, by vaginal smears, and by the progestogen-induced menses test. Gonadotropin function was evaluated by measuring the serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in blood samples obtained at 15-minute intervals for 150 minutes. Pituitary gonadotropin reserve and responsiveness were studied by giving an intravenous bolus of synthetic LH-releasing hormone (LH-RH) and measuring the circulating gonadotropin levels before and after the injection.