Growth Hormone Secretion after Baclofen Administration in Different Phases of the Menstrual Cycle in Healthy Women

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of baclofen administration on growth hormone (GH) secretion during different phases of the menstrual cycle. Methods: Twelve healthy women (33.6 ± (SD) 2.8 years; range 23–40 years) with regular menstrual cycles were enrolled. The phases of the menstrual cycle were determined using transvaginal ultrasonography (TV-US) and detecting hormonal serum levels. Plasma GH levels were evaluated during the early follicular, periovulatory and luteal phases of the cycle before and after the baclofen challenge test. Results: After acute baclofen administration, GH levels increased significantly (p < 0.001) compared to basal values during the periovulatory and luteal phases, while no significant variation was detected during the early follicular phase. In addition, plasma GH levels resulted significantly (p < 0.001) higher during the luteal phase than during the periovulatory phase. Conclusion: Acute baclofen administration induces a significant increase in plasma GH levels in healthy females during the periovulatory and luteal phases, but not during the early follicular phase. These data suggest a modulator role of plasma sex steroids levels on GH release induced by baclofen.