The effect of surgical castration on lipid metabolism in premenopausal and postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of endogenous estrogen on lipid and lipoprotein metabolism in premenopausal and postmenopausal women.

DESIGN

Prospective randomized study.

SETTING

Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology, Beilinson Medical Center and Tel-Aviv University Medical School, Israel.

SUBJECTS

Twenty-seven women, 15 premenopausal and 12 postmenopausal, undergoing surgical castration (total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy).

METHOD

Blood samples were drawn before the surgical intervention and after a 6-month interval.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Assays were performed for estradiol, luteinising hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, and triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol/HDL as well as HDL/LDL ratio.

RESULTS

No significant differences were found in both groups, before castration and after 6 months. A modest, but statistically significant, rise in triglycerides was observed in the premenopausal group.

CONCLUSIONS

The serum lipid and lipoprotein profile encountered in premenopausal and postmenopausal women were unchanged 6 months after surgical castration. The clinical significance indicates that the effect of endogenous estrogen on lipid metabolism is doubtful and should be further investigated.