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Horm Metab Res 2010; 42(3): 204-208
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1241197
Humans, Clinical

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effect of Ghrelin and Thyrotropin-releasing Hormone on Prolactin Secretion in Normal Women

C. I. Messini1 , K. Dafopoulos1 , N. Chalvatzas1 , P. Georgoulias2 , G. Anifandis1 , I. E. Messinis1
  • 1Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Thessalia, Larissa, Greece
  • 2Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical School, University of Thessalia, Larissa, Greece
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Publication History

received 19.08.2009

accepted 09.09.2009

Publication Date:
20 October 2009 (online)

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Abstract

It is known that ghrelin stimulates the secretion of prolactin in women. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of exogenous thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on ghrelin-induced prolactin release. Ten healthy normally cycling women were studied in four menstrual cycles. The women were injected intravenously in late follicular phase (follicle size 16–17 mm) with a single dose of normal saline (cycle 1), ghrelin (1 μg/kg) (cycle 2), thyrotropin-releasing hormone (200 μg) (cycle 3), and ghrelin plus thyrotropin-releasing hormone (cycle 4). Blood samples in relation to saline or drugs injection (time 0) were taken at −15, 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, and 120 min. The prolactin and growth hormone responses were assessed. After ghrelin administration (cycles 2 and 4), plasma ghrelin, serum prolactin, and growth hormone levels increased rapidly, peaking at 15–30 min (p<0.001). The injection of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (cycle 3) stimulated prolactin secretion markedly (p<0.001), but reduced growth hormone levels significantly (p<0.05). Ghrelin induced a smaller prolactin increase than thyrotropin-releasing hormone (p<0.05). The combination of ghrelin and thyrotropin-releasing hormone induced a similar increase in prolactin levels as with thyrotropin-releasing hormone alone. No changes in growth hormone and prolactin levels were seen after saline injection. These results demonstrate that the stimulating effect of ghrelin on prolactin secretion is not additive with that of thyrotropin-releasing hormone.

Key words

ghrelin - TRH - PRL - GH - women

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Correspondence

Prof. I. E. Messinis

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

University of Thessalia

41110 Larissa

Greece

Phone: +30/2410/68 27 95

Fax: +30/2410/67 00 96

Email: messinis@med.uth.gr