Growth hormone secretion in premenopausal women before and after ovariectomy: effect of hormone replacement therapy

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). Ten women 42 to 49 years of age awaiting combined hysterectomy and ovariectomy for a variety of benign gynecological conditions. 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. A significant reduction in GH response to GH-RH was observed after ovariectomy. Estrogen replacement therapy restored GH response to presurgical levels. The results support the role of E2in the stimulated secretion of GH and suggest that ERT increases pituitary stores of GH.