Effect of corticotropin-releasing factor on the pituitary-ovary axis in human luteal phase.
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.
Apa
R
R
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Università Cattolica S. Cuore, Rome, Italy.
Fulghesu
A M
AM
Lanzone
A
A
Guido
M
M
Villa
P
P
Pavone
V
V
Caruso
A
A
Mancuso
S
S
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
D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D011374:Progesterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone