Abstract
Growth hormone (GH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in plasma of 5 children at different pubertal stages and suffering from moderate orthostatic complaints, were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Parameters for secretory capacity were arginine loading and circadian hormonal patterns in hourly intervals from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and in half-hourly intervals from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. before and after 6 weeks treatment with 9-alpha-fluorohydrocortisone (9-alpha-F, Astonin-H, Fa. Merck, Darmstadt, 0.1–0.2 mg/day). Plasma GH during arginine tests and in circadian levels remained unchanged, but circadian LH showed a consistent slight rise in all children.
With pubertal development, magnitude and timing of GH peaks increased in boys, and rather decreased in the two girls toward late puberty. Episodic fluctuation of LH and FSH were more marked during sleep, and increased in the three boys as puberty advanced. Similar intraindividual patterns for GH and LH, but not for FSH were noted in 4 children. Timing of GH and LH peaks appeared to be correlated. An intrinsic hereditary long-term regulatory principle is discussed.
Zusammenfassung
Wachstumshormon (GH) und Gonadotropine (LH, FSH) wurden im Plasma von 5 Kindern verschiedener Pubertätsentwicklung und mit leichtem orthostatischem Syndrom radioimmunologisch (RIA) gemessen. Als Parameter dienten Argininbelastung und die Spiegel über 24 h gemessen stündlich von 8 bis 20 Uhr und halbstündlich von 20 bis 8 Ubr vor und nach sechswöchentlicher Behandlung mit 9-alpha-Fluorhydrocortison (9-alpha-F, Astonin-H®, Fa. Merck, Darmstadt, 0,1–0,2 mg/Tag). Die Werte für GH blieben unverändert, dagegen waren die circadianen Werte für LH nach Therapie leicht erhöht bei allen Kindern.
Abhängig vom Pubertätsstadium nahmen Häufigkeit und Höhe der circadianen GH-Spitzen bei den drei Jungen zu, bei den zwei Mädchen gegen Ende der Pubertät eher ab. Schwankungen des LH und FSH waren im Schlaf deutlicher und nahmen bei den Jungen mit der Pubertät zu. Zwischen den beiden circadianen Kurven der einzelnen Kinder bestand eine deutliche Ähnlichkeit bei GH und LH, nicht aber bei FSH. Ein zeitlicher Zusammenhang der Spitzen von GH und LH fällt auf. Eine endogene, erbliche Langzeitregulation wird diskutiert.
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Dedicated to Prof. Dr. K. H. Schäfer on the occasion of his 65th birthday.
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Schönberg, D., Kappler, R. & Ilg, W. Repeated circadian growth hormone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone in children: Influence of 9-alpha-fluorohydrocortisone. Eur J Pediatr 122, 75–84 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00445033
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00445033