Temporal Patterns of Integrated Plasma Hormone Levels During Sleep and Wakefulness. II. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone, Luteinizing Hormone, Testosterone and Estradiol

Plasma concentrations of LH, FSH, testosterone and estradiol were measured overnight in 4 healthy adults and over 48-hr in 1 man using a continuous blood sampling technique and polygraphic sleep recording. Oscillations in the levels of LH and FSH were seen but in 1 woman LH fluctuations were infrequent, and in the other there was a progressive rise of LH and FSH concentrations overnight on day 6 of the menstrual cycle. Both testosterone levels in the men and estradiol levels in the women fluctuated markedly. Mean LH and FSH levels were higher and testosterone lower on the second day of the 48-hr study. There was a positive correlation between LH and FSH levels, but correlations between either LH or FSH and testosterone and estradiol could not be demonstrated, and there were no consistent relationships between the hormone levels and the stages of sleep. It is suggested that the control of the rapid fluctuations in the blood levels of the gonadotropins and sex steroids in adults is unrelated to classical pituitary target gland feedback.