DIMINISHED GROWTH-HORMONE RESPONSES TO L-DOPA IN POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN DISEASE

Objective: To investigate the GH secretion capacity in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Design: Prospective. Setting: Reproductive endocrinology unit. Patients: Nineteen women with clinical and endocrinologic signs of PCOS were compared with 10 healthy weight-matched volunteers with normal menstrual rhythm and no history of endocrine or reproductive abnormality. Interventions: Standard GH reserve estimates were affected in all subjects using oral L-Dopa. The test was carried out after an overnight fast on cycle days 5 to 8 in menstruating subjects; the test was done randomly in patients with amenorrhea. Results: Both PCOS and control groups responded to L-Dopa over a 3-hour period with significant elevations in GH concentrations. The control group showed significantly higher values than the PCOS group at 90, 120, and 180 minutes. Conclusion: The findings indicate that PCOS patients demonstrate a relative deficiency in GH reserve.