Growth hormone secretion in premenopausal women before and after ovariectomy: effect of hormone replacement therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the GH response to growth hormone-releasing hormone (GH-RH) stimulation in premenopausal women before and after ovariectomy and after 1 month of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT).


METHODS
Ten women 42 to 49 years of age awaiting combined hysterectomy and ovariectomy for a variety of benign gynecological conditions.


METHODS
Endocrine status was determined by assay of basal levels of gonadotropins (LH, FSH), E2, P, and PRL. Stimulation with GH-RH was performed before and 8 to 10 days after ovariectomy, and after a month of ERT.


RESULTS
A significant reduction in GH response to GH-RH was observed after ovariectomy. Estrogen replacement therapy restored GH response to presurgical levels.


CONCLUSIONS
The results support the role of E2 in the stimulated secretion of GH and suggest that ERT increases pituitary stores of GH.
De Leo
V
V
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Siena, Italy.
Lanzetta
D
D
D'Antona
D
D
Danero
S
S
D000328:Adult; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D013007:Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D010052:Ovariectomy
D004958:Estradiol; D013006:Growth Hormone; D013007:Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone