Abstract
Novak 1 has stated that the good results he has obtained from the administration of the anterior pituitary-like hormone (Antuitrin-S) in cases of functional uterine bleeding were possibly due to changes produced in the blood by the action of this substance. To determine the presence or absence of such changes, 6 patients were given Antuitrin-S by hypodermic injection, using 1 cc. 3 times weekly. Three of these were injected for a period of 2 weeks, the other 3 for 3 weeks. Complete blood examinations (involving the formed elements only) were made before the injection of the product was begun, and again after all the injections had been completed. These examinations included the hemoglobin, red blood count, white blood count and differential, platelet count, bleeding time, coagulation time, and tourniquet test. It was felt that comparison of the figures obtained before and after treatment might throw some light upon the effect of Antuitrin-S upon the blood elements, as well as explain any improvement in functional uterine bleeding noted, if dependent on blood changes. The patients selected were all fertile women who presented no demonstrable abnormalities other than the uterine bleeding.
The study of the results of the injections demonstrated that the effect on the blood was so slight as to be negligible. In most cases there was some drop in the hemoglobin after the administration of the hormone, the greatest difference being 13% and in only 1 case a rise of 4%. The other variations were too unimportant to require comment. It is interesting to note that the platelet count almost uniformly was lower after treatment. This is surprising, if the fact that a reduction in platelets is usually found associated with an increased tendency toward hemorrhage, is accepted.
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