Altered growth hormone secretion during oral contraception.
Serum profiles of growth hormone (GH) were recorded for 24 h in 9 young healthy women before and during treatment with monophasic, combined contraceptives. During treatment, there was a change in GH secretion towards a pattern of smaller peaks at a higher frequency. The mean peak amplitude decreased from 11.2 to 7.3 mU/l, the mean peak area from 24.1 to 14.1 mU/l, and the mean interpeak interval from 4.3 to 3.0 h. The biological impact of altered GH secretion is well-known from animal experiments. A sex-steroid-induced change in GH secretion may be relevant for certain metabolic effects of oral contraceptives.
Karlsson
R
R
Department of Family Medicine, University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden.
Edén
S
S
von Schoultz
B
B
D000328:Adult; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D017135:Desogestrel; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D009644:Norgestrel; D009652:Norpregnenes; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000378:metabolism*; D045167:Progesterone Congeners
D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D009652:Norpregnenes; D045167:Progesterone Congeners; D009644:Norgestrel; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D017135:Desogestrel; D013006:Growth Hormone