J Korean Soc Endocrinol.  2004 Feb;19(1):24-32.

Response to the Combined Pituitary Stimulation Test by CRH, GHRH, GnRH and TRH in Normal Human According to Age and Gender

• Lee S
• Kim SW
• Ko G
• Oh S
• Woo JT
• Yang I
• Kim JW
• Kim YS

Abstract

BACKGROUND: It has been already known that each trophic hormone in combined pituitary responsiveness according to gender and age brings about variable response, but in Korea, there has been no actual data. In this study, in order to assess the pituitary responsiveness, a combined pituitary stimulation test was performed in Korean subjects with the variation in CRH, GHRH, GnRH, and TRH according to their age and gender. Were these the variables that were changed according to age and gender? Clarify that. Also, it might be good to write out the abbreviations.) METHOD: Fourteen physically and mentally healthy male subjects and fourteen female subjects, also physically and mentally healthy, underwent the combined anterior pituitary stimulation test by CRH, GHRH, LHRH, and TRH. Each gender group was divided further into young(meanSE; male: 231, female: 221) and old (mean; male: 513, female: 522) groups.
RESULTS
There were significant differences between the gender and age groups. The Peak GH level and maximal GH increment were significantly increased in young men compared to old men. The Peak ACTH level and maximal ACTH increment were significantly increased in old men as opposed to young men. The Peak PRL level, maximal PRL increment, Peak TSH level, and maximal TSH increment were significantly increased in old women compared to old men. The Peak FSH level was significantly increased in the two old groups compared to the young groups, which showedindependence in gender, and the maximal FSH increment was significantly increased in old men when compared with the young men.
CONCLUSION
These results show that in order to for accurate interpretation of the response from the combined pituitary stimulation test, it is necessary to consider age and gender of the subjects. We suggest response values of the combined pituitary stimulation test in terms of age and gender in healthy Korean subjects.

MeSH Terms

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone
Female
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone*
Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone
Humans*
Korea
Male
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone