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Adrenocorticotropic hormone elicits gonadotropin secretion in premenopausal women
- Source :
- Human Reproduction, 31(10), 2360-2368. Oxford University Press
- Publication Year :
- 2016
- Publisher :
- Oxford University Press (OUP), 2016.
-
Abstract
- textabstractSTUDY QUESTION Does adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) induce gonadotropin release in premenopausal women? SUMMARY ANSWER Administration of ACTH stimulates gonadotropin release, most likely by stimulation of the production of cortisol, in premenopausal women. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY In animal models, acute activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has been shown to induce gonadotropin release in the presence of sufficiently high estrogen levels. However, it is unknown whether the HPA axis has a similar influence on gonadotropin release in humans. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This study had a mixed factorial design. A total of 60 healthy female participants participated in the experimental study. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The study sample comprised three distinct hormonal-based populations according to their levels of progesterone (PROG) and estradiol (E2): (i) low-PROG-low-E2, (ii) low-PROG-high-E2 and (iii) high-PROG-high-E2 women. A low dose (1 μg) of ACTH was administered to all study participants. Serum steroid and gonadotropin concentrations were measured prior to, and at 30 and 90 minutes after, intravenous ACTH administration. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Mean serum cortisol levels increased significantly following ACTH administration in all groups (P < 0.001). Similarly, the serum levels of 17-OH-PROG, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone and testosterone increased significantly in all groups (P < 0.01). The low-PROG-high-E2 and high-PROG-high-E2 groups exhibited a significant increase in LH and FSH levels (P < 0.001), whereas the low-PROG-low-E2 group demonstrated blunted LH and FSH responses to ACTH administration (P < 0.05). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Testing was performed during the luteal phase of the natural menstrual cycle. Testing during the follicular phase might have elicited premature, or more pronounced, LH surges in response to ACTH administration. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our findings suggest a novel mechanism by which the adrenal cortex functions as a mediator of gonadotropin release. These findings contribute to a greater understanding of the influence of acute stress on reproductive endocrinology. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) Funding was received from the Erasmus University Medical Center. The authors have no conflicts of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER EudraCT Number 2012-005640-14.
- Subjects :
- Adult
0301 basic medicine
Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System
endocrine system
medicine.medical_specialty
Adolescent
Hydrocortisone
medicine.drug_class
media_common.quotation_subject
Pituitary-Adrenal System
Adrenocorticotropic hormone
Luteal phase
Young Adult
03 medical and health sciences
Follicle-stimulating hormone
0302 clinical medicine
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
Internal medicine
medicine
Humans
Testosterone
Progesterone
Menstrual cycle
media_common
Estradiol
business.industry
17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone
Rehabilitation
Androstenedione
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Dehydroepiandrosterone
Luteinizing Hormone
16. Peace & justice
Healthy Volunteers
3. Good health
Gonadotropin secretion
030104 developmental biology
Endocrinology
Reproductive Medicine
Female
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
Gonadotropin
Luteinizing hormone
business
hormones, hormone substitutes, and hormone antagonists
030217 neurology & neurosurgery
medicine.drug
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 14602350 and 02681161
- Volume :
- 31
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Human Reproduction
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....715696eba4d58d27c530cb362e7b7759