Abstract
A dynamic neurosecretory relationship may exist between somatotropin (hGH) and prolactin. Regulation of both hormones occurs at the CNS, hypothalamic and pituitary level. Simultaneous serial measurements of both hormones were analyzed for determination of their temporal relation and the possibility to differentiate hypothalamic from pituitary defects in growth hormone disorders. Secretory patterns were analyzed in 45 children with hGH inadequacy on the basis of suboptimal response to three standard provocative agents. Integrated measurements were obtained at 20 minute intervals, from 2000-0800, during sleep. Prolactin was measured with a solid-phase 125I RIA. hGH measurements utilized the Tandem-R hGH (Hybritech) method. Analysis of co-secretory dynamic relationships by pulse amplitude and integrated area under the curve (AUC) revealed characteristic but not consistent patterns for hypothalamic or pituitary dysfunction. The pattern of diminished hGH and facilitated prolactin suggests hypothalamic dysfunction, whereas diminution of both peptides suggests a pituitary abnormality. A significant correlation (r=0.36, p=0.014) was noted for the number of hGH and prolactin peaks. No significant relationship to gender or maximum hGH value was seen. Using the Cluster pulse detection program, the mean interpulse interval for hGH was 159 min. and for prolactin 105 min. Analysis of pulse interaction using the AnCoPuls program revealed significant copulsatility for prolactin pulses trailing hGH pulses by 80 min. (p<0.004). This suggests a relationship of the neurosecretory mechanisms for the two hormones in these children at either the intra-pituitary or more likely supra-hypothalamic level.
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Brown, D., Penn, J., Stoppani, C. et al. COPULSATILITY OF GROWTH HORMONE AND PROLACTIN SECRETION IN GROWTH HORMONE DISORDERS. Pediatr Res 33 (Suppl 5), S30 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199305001-00162
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199305001-00162