Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone Provokes Prolactin Release in Hypergonadotrophic Hypogonadal Women: A Response Not Altered by Dexamethasone

The prolactin response to 100 micrograms of intravenous gonadotrophin releasing hormone was studied in seven hypergonadotrophic hypogonadal and four eugonadal women. Prolactin rose from a mean basal level of 7.3 +/- 1.6 ng/ml to a mean peak level of 20.8 +/- 5.2 ng/ml in the hypogonadal women, and did not change significantly from a mean basal level of 7.7 +/- 1.2 ng/ml in the eugonadal women. Dexamethasone suppression did not alter the gonadotrophin or prolactin response to GnRH. Hypergonadotrophic hypogonadal women, like some patients with acromegaly, anorexia nervosa, and anovulatory disorders, show an augmented release of prolactin after GnRH administration.