Interaction Between Gabaergic and Opioid Pathways in the Regulation of Gonadotropin Secretion in Males

A. N. Elias; T. Kyaw; S. Stone; P. Weathersbee; K. Iyer; M. S. Ascher

doi:10.1055/s-2007-1012452

Hormone and Metabolic Research, Table of Contents

Horm Metab Res 1986; 18(12): 838-841
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1012452

Clinical

Interaction Between Gabaergic and Opioid Pathways in the Regulation of Gonadotropin Secretion in Males

A. N. Elias¹ , T. Kyaw¹ , S. Stone² , P. Weathersbee² , K. Iyer¹ , M. S. Ascher¹

¹Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine Medical Center, Orange, California, U.S.A.
²Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, University of California, Irvine Medical Center, Orange, California, U.S.A.

Abstract

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Summary

The effects of naloxone infusion given together with an infusion of LRH on gonadotropin secretion, were studied in 6 normal male volunteers before and after pretreatment with the GABA-transaminase inhibitor, valproic acid. In concordance with previous studies, naloxone infusion augmented the LRH-stimulated secretion of LH. Baseline serum LH concentrations were not significantly different after valproic acid pretreatment compared to control values. Similarly, valproic acid pretreatment failed to blunt the naloxone-augmented LRH-stimulated secretion of LH. Our data suggest that the previously reported animal studies on the central suppressive effect of GABA on endogenous LRH release is less prominent than the suppressive effect of opioidergic regulatory mechanisms in the human male.

Key-Words

GABA - Opioids - Endorphins - LH - FSH

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