Use of hypothalamic releasing factors to examine the effects of increased testosterone on pituitary response in a postmenopausal woman. A case report.
Hyperandrogenic states in women may alter hypothalamic pituitary response. The pituitary function of a 64-year-old postmenopausal woman with a testosterone-secreting (T-secreting) ovarian neoplasm was assessed with a combined infusion of ovine corticotropin releasing hormone, 1 microgram/kg; GnRH, 100 micrograms; human growth hormone releasing hormone, 1 microgram/kg; and TRH, 200 micrograms preoperatively when T and estradiol (E2) were elevated, six weeks postoperatively when T and E2 were low and 16 months postoperatively while the patient was on micronized E2 (low T, high E2). The principal findings were a reduction in luteinizing hormone response by both T and E2, no effect of either T or E2 on follicle stimulating hormone and greater growth hormone and TSH responses in an estrogenic milieu.
Hill
G A
GA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232.
Herbert
C M
CM
DeBold
C R
CR
Wentz
A C
AC
D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007984:Leydig Cell Tumor / Q000503:physiopathology; D008593:Menopause / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000378:metabolism*; D010906:Pituitary Hormone-Releasing Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology
D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary; D010906:Pituitary Hormone-Releasing Hormones; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol