Serial levels of serum luteinizing hormone (LH) were determined by sampling every 15 min between 7:00 PM and 7:00 AM with 4 normal men. From 4–7 abrupt elevations occurred in each man. The elevations averaged an increase of 87%. The LH levels were highest between 3:00 and 7:00 AM and 2.3–4.8-fold variations were found in each of the 4 volunteers. During the 45 min after the LH peaks, the rate of fall of gonadotropin concentration was equivalent to a half time of 105.5 min, while the actual half times averaged 23% longer when they could be directly estimated. We conclude that pituitary release of LH occurs as repetitive abrupt discharges in normal men during the night with highest levels in the early morning. Discharge appears to end with a tapering of LH release.
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Nankin et al. (1972) studied this question.