Lack of impact of pharmacological growth hormone administration on circulating levels of reproductive hormones during the menstrual cycle in normal women.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of pharmacological growth hormone (GH) administration on the secretion of pituitary and gonadal hormones during the menstrual cycle in normal women.


METHODS
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design.


METHODS
Six normally menstruating, healthy women, 22 to 24 years of age and with a normal body mass index.


METHODS
Each participant was treated with placebo and growth hormone (12 IU/d) during two different 14-day periods, separated by a 6-week washout period.


METHODS
Serum insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), estradiol, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone.


RESULTS
Administration of GH for 14 days resulted in a significant increase in serum IGF-I, whereas no changes occurred in gonadotropin or sex steroid response.


CONCLUSIONS
Growth hormone treatment during the first 14 days of menstrual cycle in normal women does not affect gonadotropin or sex steroid patterns.
Ovesen
P
P
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics Y, Aarhus Kommunehopital, Denmark.
Møller
J
J
Jørgensen
J O
JO
Møller
N
N
Christiansen
J S
JS
D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000097:blood*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D012016:Reference Values
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D013006:Growth Hormone