The effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists on adrenocorticotropin and cortisol secretion in adult premenopausal women.

Abstract

GnRH agonists are known to suppress LH, FSH, and subsequent ovarian estradiol production by down-regulation of pituitary gonadotropin receptors. Previous investigations have demonstrated that GnRH agonists also suppress GHRH-stimulated GH release in normal men and women and PRL levels in subjects with hyperprolactinemia. Little is known about the effects of GnRH agonists on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The purpose of the present investigation was to determine the secretion of ACTH and cortisol after an iv infusion of hCRH in control women (n = 11) and in women undergoing treatment with GnRH agonists (n = 10). The plasma and serum levels of ACTH and cortisol increased after infusion of CRH in all women. The basal and CRH-stimulated plasma levels of ACTH and cortisol at each time point were not statistically different between GnRH agonist-treated women and controls. Thus, the chronic use of GnRH agonists is known to suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and is associated with GH and PRL suppression as well, but does not apparently alter the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

Effect of sex steroids on β-endorphin levels at rest and during submaximal treadmill exercise in anovulatory and ovulatory runners

“…By creating these two artificial scenarios, we hoped to understand better the interaction between opiate and ovarian steroid hormone levels in these two groups of women athletes. On the basis of previous reports, we expected to note a systematic variation in basal endorphin levels that was dependent on the menstrual phase, being highest in the luteal phase and consistently lower after GnRH-a down-regulation (5,6). We hypothesized that the administration of sex steroids would fail to have an effect on basal endorphin levels in anovulatory women if their menstrual irregularity was due to increased opioid tone.…”

“…Ovulatory and eumenorrheic women were tested first in the follicular and luteal phases and then treated with a GnRH agonist (GnRH-a) in an attempt to mimic the steroid milieu of the AO woman. The administration of a GnRH-a causes temporary hypogonadism through gonadotropic desensitization without affecting other pituitary dynamics (5,6).…”

Current and Potential Application of GnRH Agonists in Gynecologic Practice

“…It has been shown that GnRH‐a suppresses growth hormone (GH) release and serum prolactin levels either through a direct effect on pituitary activity or as a result of reduced estrogen activity. No further effects on other pituitary hormones have been shown 3,4…”