EFFECTS OF OVARY SUPPRESSION BY A LONG-ACTING GNRH-AGONIST ON CIRCULATING GH, INSULIN-LIKE-GROWTH-FACTOR AND INSULIN LEVELS IN WOMEN WITH POLYCYSTIC-OVARY-SYNDROME

Our aim was to investigate the effect of GnRH-agonist (GnRH-a) induced suppression of plasma sex steroids on serum GH, insulin like growth f actor-I (IGF-I) and insulin levels after an oral glucose load (OGTT) i n women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Serum insulin, GH and I GF-I levels during a 75-g 4-h OGTT were measured in 3 nonobese and 7 o bese hyperandrogenic women with PCOS and normal glucose tolerance befo re and after 10 weeks of treatment with the GnRH-a triptorelin (3,75 m g im every 28 days), Basal estrogen and androgen levels were also meas ured at time 0 of the first and the second OGTT. After the therapy ser um estrogens and androgens were significantly suppressed, Body weight remained unchanged, Basal GH significantly increased after the treatme nt while fasting IGF-I and insulin levels decreased from (mean+/-SE) 3 49.3+/-31.8 to 278.7+/-33.2 ng/mL and from 22.4+/-4.1 to 18.8+/-4.4 mu U/mL, respectively, The insulin response to OGTT (area under curve) w as also reduced (from 16017+/-2598 to 11736+/-2317 mu U/mL/240 min). O ur results suggest that the GnRH-a induced suppression of ovary secret ion may modify the serum GH and IGF-I levels and the insulin response to an OGTT in women with PCOS. (C) 1997, Editrice Kurtis.