Effect of human corticotropin-releasing hormone on gonadotropin secretion in cycling and postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is linked to stress-associated reproductive dysfunction in the human by determining if the administration of human corticotropin-releasing hormone (hCRH) results in an inhibition of gonadotropin secretion.


METHODS
Twenty-four-hour prospective study with frequent (every 10 minutes) blood sampling.


METHODS
University Clinical Research Center.


METHODS
Sequential 8-hour infusions of normal saline, hCRH (1 to 5 micrograms/kg per hour), and hCRH plus naloxone (2 mg/h).


METHODS
Four normal cycling women and four postmenopausal women.


METHODS
Plasma luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (PRL), and adrenal and ovarian steroids.


RESULTS
In response to hCRH, a prompt and sustained rise in cortisol (F) was noted in both normal cycling women and postmenopausal women. No inhibition of LH or FSH was noted during either the hCRH or hCRH plus naloxone infusion in either group of women. Unexpectedly, elevations in the mean LH peak amplitude and the transverse mean LH concentration were noted in the postmenopausal women during the infusion of hCRH as compared with saline. The infusion of hCRH had no apparent effect on concentrations of PRL, FSH, and gonadal and adrenal steroids (except for F).


CONCLUSIONS
Under these conditions, intravenously administered hCRH has no inhibitory effect on gonadotropin secretion in either premenopausal or postmenopausal women. The mechanism by which stress exerts its deleterious effect on reproductive function in the human remains unknown.
Fischer
U G
UG
Department of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0802.
Wood
S H
SH
Bruhn
J
J
Roseff
S J
SJ
Mortola
J
J
Rivier
J E
JE
Yen
S S
SS
D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000502:physiology*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D009270:Naloxone; D010507:Periodicity; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000728:Androgens; D004967:Estrogens; D009270:Naloxone; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone