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Horm Metab Res 1974; 6(6): 499-501
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1093812
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© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Impaired Prolactin Response to Synthetic Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone After a 36 Hour Fast

A. I. Vinik , W. J. Kalk , H.  McLaren , M.  Paul
  • Endocrine and Metabolic Research Group, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
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Publication History

Publication Date:
07 January 2009 (online)

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Abstract

Nine male patients 35 to 60 years old received 100 µg synthetic thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) after both an overnight and a 36 hour fast and the serum prolactin response was measured by radioimmunoassay. The prolonged fast significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the mean peak prolactin response from 86.3 ± 25.9 to 32.0 ± 6.2 and the increment above basal from 76.8 ± 24.3 to 27.5 ± 5.5 ng/ml. There was no change in the pattern or timing of the response and basal values were insignificantly lowered. These observations are discussed in relation to the effects of fasting on glucose, insulin, growth hormone, free fatty acid, ketones and water and electrolyte metabolism.

Key words

Prolactin - Fasting - Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone (TRH) - Immunoassay

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