title: Effect of corticotropin-releasing factor on the pituitary-ovary axis in human luteal phase.
abstract: In order to test the possible negative effect of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) on the pituitary-gonadal axis, two gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) tests, on two consecutive days, were performed in five normally cycling women in the midluteal phase of the menstrual cycle. The first GnRH test was performed after 2 h during which time basal blood samples were collected every 10 min. On the second day, the GnRH test was repeated after a 2-h CRF infusion which was continued throughout the GnRH test. Our results demonstrate that while CRF increases cortisol levels it affects neither the basal nor the GnRH-stimulated gonadotropin levels. Similarly, both basal and luteinizing hormone (LH)-stimulated progesterone concentrations were not modified by the CRF infusion thereby also excluding a possible direct effect of the peptide on corpus luteum steroidogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Università Cattolica S. Cuore, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Apa
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Fulghesu
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lanzone
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guido
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Villa
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pavone
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Caruso
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mancuso
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000502:physiology*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D011374:Progesterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone