Dopaminergic regulation of gonadotropin and thyrotropin hormone secretion is altered with age.
To determine if age-related changes in glycoprotein pituitary hormone secretion are associated with alterations in dopaminergic regulation, plasma gonadotropins and TSH were measured before and after L-dopa administration in 44 young (31-44 years of age) and 42 old (64-88 years of age) healthy male participants. Plasma GH and PRL were also determined in order to examine the somatotroph and lactotrope response. In the young, following L-dopa, plasma FSH, LH and TSH were unchanged from baseline. However, in older subjects, plasma FSH was significantly increased (p less than 0.001) and a similar trend was noted for LH. Plasma TSH was significantly depressed (p less than 0.002) in older subjects only. Following L-dopa, increases in plasma GH and decreases in plasma PRL were of similar magnitude in each group. These data indicate that dopaminergic modulation of gonadotropins and TSH is altered with age.
Greenspan
S L
SL
Division of Gerontology, Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, Mass.
Sparrow
D
D
Rowe
J W
JW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000378:metabolism*
D007980:Levodopa; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013006:Growth Hormone; D004298:Dopamine