OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the GH response to growth hormone-releasing hormone (GH-RH) stimulation in premenopausal women before and after ovariectomy and after 1 month of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT). PATIENTS: Ten women 42 to 49 years of age awaiting combined hysterectomy and ovariectomy for a variety of benign gynecological conditions. INTERVENTION: Endocrine status was determined by assay of basal levels of gonadotropins (LH, FSH), E2, P, and PRL. Stimulation with GH-RH was performed before and 8 to 10 days after ovariectomy, and after a month of ERT. RESULTS: A significant reduction in GH response to GH-RH was observed after ovariectomy. Estrogen replacement therapy restored GH response to presurgical levels. CONCLUSIONS: The results support the role of E2 in the stimulated secretion of GH and suggest that ERT increases pituitary stores of GH.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the GH response to growth hormone-releasing hormone (GH-RH) stimulation in premenopausal women before and after ovariectomy and after 1 month of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT). PATIENTS: Ten women 42 to 49 years of age awaiting combined hysterectomy and ovariectomy for a variety of benign gynecological conditions. INTERVENTION: Endocrine status was determined by assay of basal levels of gonadotropins (LH, FSH), E2, P, and PRL. Stimulation with GH-RH was performed before and 8 to 10 days after ovariectomy, and after a month of ERT. RESULTS: A significant reduction in GH response to GH-RH was observed after ovariectomy. Estrogen replacement therapy restored GH response to presurgical levels. CONCLUSIONS: The results support the role of E2 in the stimulated secretion of GH and suggest that ERT increases pituitary stores of GH.