Follicle stimulating hormone, thyrotrophin, human growth hormone and prolactin in hyperemesis gravidarum.

To investigate the functional capacity of the anterior pituitary gland in hyperemesis gravidarum, the serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), thyrotrophin (TSH), human growth hormone (HGH) and prolactin were measured before and after the combined administration of gonadotrophin and thyrotrophin releasing hormones, (GnRH, TRH), and insulin in seven normal pregnancies, nine with hyperemesis and eight nonpregnant subjects. There was no difference between normal pregnancy and hyperemesis for FSH and TSH, but the basal level of HGH was lower and that of prolactin higher in hyperemesis although their responses following stimulation were similar. Thus there seems to be no hypofunction of the anterior pituitary gland in hyperemesis gravidarum.