Lack of impact of pharmacological growth hormone administration on circulating levels of reproductive hormones during the menstrual cycle in normal women.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of pharmacological growth hormone (GH) administration on the secretion of pituitary and gonadal hormones during the menstrual cycle in normal women.

DESIGN

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design.

PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS: Six normally menstruating, healthy women, 22 to 24 years of age and with a normal body mass index.

INTERVENTIONS

Each participant was treated with placebo and growth hormone (12 IU/d) during two different 14-day periods, separated by a 6-week washout period.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Serum insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), estradiol, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone.

RESULTS

Administration of GH for 14 days resulted in a significant increase in serum IGF-I, whereas no changes occurred in gonadotropin or sex steroid response.

CONCLUSIONS

Growth hormone treatment during the first 14 days of menstrual cycle in normal women does not affect gonadotropin or sex steroid patterns.