Suppression of prolactin and gonadotropin secretion in post-menopausal women by 2-hydroxyestrone.

An infusion of 2-hydroxyestrone given to estrogen primed post-menopausal women resulted in a rapid and total suppression of serum prolactin. Serum LH responded with an initial rise followed by a 30% decrease below baseline values. Serum FSH exhibited a significant suppression below preinfusion levels. The catechol estrogen had no effect on serum LH, FSH and PRL in post-menopausal women who were not pretreated with estrogens. This impact of 2-hydroxyestrone on pituitary hormone secretion provides for the physiological role of this non-uterotropic estrogen in the neuroendocrine mechanisms of the human.