Influence of type of immunosuppressive therapy on secretion of somatotropin and function of the pituitary-adrenal and pituitary-gonadal axis in patients with a kidney transplant.

In 24 patients with a functioning kidney transplant, hypoglycemia-induced somatotropin (STH), adreno-corticotropin and cortisol secretion was studied. In a further 24 transplanted patients, secretion of lutropin, follitropin and testosterone after the intravenous administration of luliberin was assessed. Data obtained in this paper suggest the presence of abnormal function of the pituitary-adrenal and pituitary-gonadal axis and abnormal STH secretion in patients with a functioning transplant. Type and duration of immunosuppressive therapy seem to influence the intensity of the above-mentioned endocrine abnormalities.