Naloxone does not Interfere with the Dopamine-Induced Decrease in Gonadotropin Secretion in Women with Polycystic Ovarian Disease

Summary

Dopamine infusion 4 μg/kg/min over 4 h, administered to six subjects with diagnosis of polycystic ovarian disease laparoscopically confirmed, produced a significant decrease in serum LH, FSH and PRL, suggesting a reduced dopamine activity in these subjects. The addition of naloxone 4 mg iv bolus plus 4 mg/h over 2 h, a specific opiate antagonist, does not interfere with the well-established dopaminergic inhibitory influence on LH, FSH and PRL secretion. This suggests that opiatergic pathways are not directly involved in the dopamine-induced suppressive effect on LH secretion in subjects with LH-dependent polycystic ovarian disease.

Key-Words:

Polycystic Ovarian Disease - Dopamine - Naloxone - Gonadotropins - LH - FSH - PRL