title: Role of galanin in the regulation of somatotrope and gonadotrope function in young ovulatory women.
abstract: The aim of the study was to elucidate the role of the neuropeptide galanin in the regulation of somatotropic and gonadotropic function in normal women. Thirteen normally ovulating (aged 28 to 40 years), non-obese (body mass index, 18.4 to 27.1 kg/m2) women with infertility due to a tubal or male factor were studied. Each woman underwent three tests: (1) bolus intravenous (IV) injection of growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone (GHRH) (1-29)NH2 1 microgram/kg plus gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) 100 micrograms at time 0; (2) IV infusion of porcine galanin 500 micrograms in 100 mL saline from -10 minutes; and (3) bolus IV injection of GHRH(1-29)NH2 1 microgram/kg plus GnRH 100 micrograms at time 0 plus IV infusion of porcine galanin 500 micrograms in 100 mL saline from -10 to +30 minutes. All results are expressed as the mean +/- SEM. GH peak after GHRH was 14 +/- 5 micrograms/L; porcine galanin significantly increased serum GH (GH peak, 7.3 +/- 1.2) with respect to baseline levels. No significant differences were observed between either GH peak or GH absolute values after galanin as compared with GHRH alone. Porcine galanin significantly enhanced GH response to GHRH (peak, 31.4 +/- 4.4 micrograms/L) with respect to either GHRH or galanin alone. Luteinizing hormone (LH)/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) peaks after GnRH were 16.5 +/- 5.3 and 17.4 +/- 4 IU/L, respectively. Porcine galanin did not cause significant increases in serum LH and FSH levels with respect to baseline.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giustina
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gastaldi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bugari
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chiesa
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Loda
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tironi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Negro-Vilar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D019004:Galanin; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D013007:Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010455:Peptides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D009479:Neuropeptides; D010455:Peptides; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D019004:Galanin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D013006:Growth Hormone; D013007:Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone