Premature Ovarian Failure: A Clinical, Histological and Cytogenetic Study

In this study, 17 cases of primary ovarian failure were studied clinically and endocrinologically. The average age at the beginning of amenorrhea was 23.7 years. The mean levels of serum LH, FSH and estradiol were 102.7 miu/ml, 99.6 miu/ml and 12.5 pg/ml, respectively. Chromosomal analysis was performed in 14 cases. One case was 46XXq– and one case 45X/46XY, while the others were categorized as 46XX karyotype. Ovarian biopsy was performed in 5 cases. In all 5 cases, no primordial follicle was found, but corpora albicantia were present, indicating past ovulation. Induction of ovulation was attempted in 16 cases. After estrogen progesterone cyclic therapy, one patient became pregnant, but gonadotropin therapy was ineffective. Although the etiology of primary ovarian failure remains unknown, pregnancy and ovulation can be achieved in some cases. With regard to treatment, estrogen replacement therapy may prove to be more effective than gonadotropin therapy.