title: Diminished growth hormone responses to L-dopa in polycystic ovarian disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the GH secretion capacity in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective.
  
  
  METHODS
  Reproductive endocrinology unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen women with clinical and endocrinologic signs of PCOS were compared with 10 healthy weight-matched volunteers with normal menstrual rhythm and no history of endocrine or reproductive abnormality.
  
  
  METHODS
  Standard GH reserve estimates were affected in all subjects using oral L-Dopa. The test was carried out after an overnight fast on cycle days 5 to 8 in menstruating subjects; the test was done randomly in patients with amenorrhea.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both PCOS and control groups responded to L-Dopa over a 3-hour period with significant elevations in GH concentrations. The control group showed significantly higher values than the PCOS group at 90, 120, and 180 minutes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings indicate that PCOS patients demonstrate a relative deficiency in GH reserve.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Dokuz Eylul, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Acar
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kadanali
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D007980:Levodopa; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D007980:Levodopa; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D013006:Growth Hormone