Growth hormone in serum of women during the menstrual cycle and during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the interrelationships between circulating levels of endogenous human growth hormone (hGH), gonadotropins, estradiol (E2), and progesterone (P).


METHODS
Retrospective.


METHODS
Assisted reproductive technology center.


METHODS
Nine normally cycling women from whom blood samples were drawn daily; 18 patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.


RESULTS
During the menstrual cycle, average (+/-SE) hGH levels in serum ranged between 7.97 +/- 2.71 microIU/mL on day 11 and 2.11 +/- 0.38 microIU/mL on day 22. Serum hGH levels did not correlate with peripheral levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone, P, or E2 and were related to the serum E2:FSH ratio (adhibited as an index of ovarian response to FSH) on cycle day 10 only. Levels of hGH in sera of patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation were near 4 microIU/mL and were directly related to peripheral E2 levels at the time of induction of oocyte maturity. When corrected for differences in follicle number between stimulated patients, changes in serum E2 content were independent of respective hGH levels.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings challenge speculation that endogenous peripheral hGH content might relate to ovarian responsiveness to FSH.
Stone
B A
BA
Reproductive Endocrine Laboratory, Institute for Reproductive Research, Los Angeles, California 90017.
Marrs
R P
RP
D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008596:Menotropins / Q000494:pharmacology; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D008596:Menotropins; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D013006:Growth Hormone