Serum levels of gonadotropins, prolactin, and progesterone in infertile female Africans.

To determine the prevalence of hormonal abnormalities in infertile African women, serum levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, prolactin, and progesterone were estimated using radioimmunoassay techniques during the midluteal phase in 2,047 female partners of infertile relationships. Of the patients investigated, 1,085 (53%) had abnormal serum levels of one or more of the hormones studied. Hyperprolactinemia, found in 537 (26.2%) of the patients, was the commonest hormonal abnormality. Serum progesterone level of 3 ng/mL or below which is indicative of anovulation was found in 235 (11.5%) patients, while the value of 5 ng/mL or below, suggestive of inadequate luteal functions, was found in another 121 (5.9%) patients. Since hyperprolactinemia, anovulation, and defective luteal function are treatable endocrine disorders, routine endocrine evaluation of infertile females in African societies is suggested.