The anterior pituitary response to a gonadotropin-releasing hormone challenge test in normal older reproductive-age women.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the pituitary responsiveness to GnRH stimulation of premenopausal women relative to age.


METHODS
Older and younger reproductive-age women underwent the GnRH stimulation test in the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle.


METHODS
Female subjects in an academic research environment.


METHODS
Women aged 21 to 44 years consisting of normal volunteers and infertility patients.


METHODS
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone was administered intravenously between days 2 and 4 of the menstrual cycle. Blood samples were collected from -20 minutes before to 120 minutes after administration.


METHODS
Luteinizing hormone, FSH, inhibin, and E2 levels.


RESULTS
No significant difference in baseline values existed between older and younger women with regard to LH, inhibin, and E2, but basal FSH levels were higher in older women. A significantly diminished percent of LH and percent FSH change above baseline occurred 30 minutes after GnRH administration in the older women compared with younger women. No change in inhibin or E2 levels could be detected during the sampling period.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study demonstrates marked attenuation of the acute pituitary LH response (sensitivity) to GnRH stimulation in older women when compared with a younger cohort.
Fujimoto
V Y
VY
University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle.
Klein
N A
NA
Battaglia
D E
DE
Bremner
W J
WJ
Soules
M R
MR
D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008423:Maternal Age; D008875:Middle Aged; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D012016:Reference Values; D013997:Time Factors
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone