Abstract
The release of the free TSH α-subunit (F-TSH-A) during TRH stimulation (200 μg IV/m2) was investigated in 8 prepubertal girls (4-9 years of age, group I), 8 girls with precocious puberty (4-8 years of age, pubertal stages 2-3, group II) and 12 menstruating women (group III). F-TSH-A was measured by a polyclonal RIA. Results were expressed as mean ± SEM (ng 1°-IRP-hCGα/ml). Basal values in group I, II, III were respectively 0.14 ± 0.02, 0.33 ± 0.08 (p = 0.02) and 0.47 ± 0.05 (not different from II). TRH peak values were respectively 0.59 ± 0.12, 0.75 ± 0.08, and 0.71 ± 0.06 (differences not significant). The increment between basal and peak values was significantly higher (p < 0.02) in group I (0.45 ± 0.07) than in group III (0.24 ± 0.03). Girls from group II were treated by IM injections every 4 weeks of the LH-RH agonist triptorelin (Decapeptyl microcapsules, 60 μg/kg body weight). After 6 months basal and peak levels increased respectively to 1.1 ± 0.12 and 2.0 ± 0.20 (p < 0.001 relative to pretreatment values). The increment (0.84 ± 0.11) was significantly higher than in groups I, untreated II and III. These data suggest that : 1-ovarian secretion might exert a suppressive effect on the release of F-TSH-A; 2-long term LH-RH agonist administration might increase α-subunit secretion not only by the gonadotroph cells, but also by the thyreotroph cells, provided a direct effect of TRH on the gonadotrophs can be precluded.
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Lahlou, N., Chaussain, J., Couprie, C. et al. 20 EFFECTS OF PUBERTAL MATURATION AND LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO TRIPTORELIN ON FREE TSH ALPHA-SUBUNIT RELEASE IN FEMALE SUBJECTS. Pediatr Res 24, 520 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198810000-00041
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198810000-00041