Pituitary-ovarian function after tubal ligation

Pituitary-ovarian function was evaluated by measurement of daily serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), l7 β -estradiol, and progesterone in women with a previous history of tubal ligation. Normally menstruating women served as controls. The duration of the proliferative and luteal phase was similar for both groups. The midluteal progesterone level averages did not differ between the two groups. Preovulatory LH and l7 β -estradiol peaks were significantly lower in the tubal ligation group; average midluteal LH and l7 β -estradiol levels were also lower. These results reveal that pituitary-ovarian function can be altered following surgical sterilization.