Dopaminergic regulation of fetal growth hormone (GH) secretion: study with maternal administration of bromocriptine.
To investigate the role of dopaminergic pathways on the control of growth hormone (GH) secretion, bromocriptine (BMC), a dopamine agonist drug, was orally administered at the dose of 5 mg to 46 pregnant women during labor whereas 41 received placebo. Maternal blood was obtained before drug administration and at delivery. Cord blood was obtained at delivery. Following the interval of time elapsed between BMC or placebo ingestion and parturition, maternal and cord blood samples were divided in 7 groups for statistical analysis. Cord blood GH resulted significantly higher than the corresponding maternal value (p less than 0.001). No significant change in GH values was observed nor in samples of mothers treated with BMC compared to mothers treated with placebo neither in cord blood samples of the corresponding neonates. These findings indicate that BMC administration does not modify GH secretion in the term fetus.
Department of Endocrinology and Pathology, University of Parma Medical School, Italy.
G
G
Robuschi
M
M
Montermini
P
P
Chiodera
E
E
Gardini
M
M
Salvi
A
A
Alboni
E
E
Borciani
A
A
Gnudi
E
E
Roti
D001971:Bromocriptine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000097:blood*; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000097:blood; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D011247:Pregnancy
D001971:Bromocriptine; D013006:Growth Hormone