Hypoglycaemia-induced inhibition of pulsatile luteinizing hormone secretion in female rats: role of oestradiol, endogenous opioids and the adrenal medulla.

Oestradiol (E2) has been shown to exacerbate the inhibitory effect of hypoglycaemic stress on gonadotrophin-releasing hormone pulse generator (GnRH) activity in primates. The mechanism by which this is mediated is not yet known. We therefore aimed to establish whether there is a sensitizing influence of E2 on the suppression of LH pulsatility in response to hypoglycaemia in the female rat, thus providing a more amenable model in which to study this phenomenon. In ovariectomized Wistar rats with E2 replacement, insulin-induced hypoglycaemia (0.5 U/kg i.v.) resulted in an interruption of pulsatile LH secretion. Induction of the same degree of hypoglycaemia in ovariectomized rats without E2 replacement was without effect on LH pulsatility. Naloxone administration prevented the hypoglycaemia-induced inhibition of LH pulses. Because hypoglycaemia is a potent activator of the sympathetic nervous system, we also tested the hypothesis that the adrenal medulla is involved in this suppression of LH pulses in the rat. Adrenomedullectomy completely prevented this inhibitory response to hypoglycaemic stress. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that E2 sensitizes the GnRH pulse generator to the inhibitory influences of hypoglycaemic stress in the rat. Furthermore, a clear role for both endogenous opioid peptides and the adrenal medulla in the stress-induced suppression of LH pulsatility is identified.