Ovarian hormonal function may be as important contributing factor to hGH-IGF-I-IGFBP-3 axis as age.
AIM: Group A-15 women with
premature ovarian failure (POF) (mean: age 38.9+/-5.2 years, FSH 101.4+/-29.0 IU/l; 17beta-
estradiol 22.5+/-14.6 ng/l). Group B consisted of 15 menopausal women (mean: age 54.7+/-2.7 years; FSH 81.9+/-32.1 IU/l; 17beta-
estradiol 17.1+/- 8.0 ng/l). Group C - controls - 15 normally menstruating women (mean: age 37.1+/-9.0 years; FSH 6.2+/-1.0 IU/l; 17beta-
estradiol 144.8+/-117.1 ng/l).
METHODS: Body mass and BMI were measured. Basic fasting plasma hGH,
IGF-I,
IGFBP-3,
insulin,
testosterone and LH as well as
prolactin (PRL), FSH and
estradiol were assessed by RIA kits. Statistical analysis. Shapiro-Wilk test, Mann-Whitney u-test, Spearman rang correlation coefficient, stepwise multiple regression.
RESULTS: Mean serum
IGF-I level was the lowest (p<0.005) in group B (172.0+/-54.6 microg/l) and the highest in group C (273.6+/-109.0 microg/l). The mean plasma
IGF-I level in group A was similar (NS) (208.3+/-66.5 microg/l) to that found in group B and lower (p<0.02) compared with that in group C. The lowest (p<0.005) serum
IGFBP-3 level was found in group B (3.1+/-0.7 microg/l) compared to group C (4.4+/-0.3 microg/l). The mean plasma
IGFBP-3 level (3.1+/-1.0 microg/l) in group A was lower than in group C (p<0.005) but identical as in group B. No statistically significant differences between groups were observed in mean hGH levels. Women in group A and C were younger (p<0.001) than those in group B. The lowest mean
estradiol level was found in groups A and B. The highest was in group C (p<0.001). Mean plasma LH and FSH levels were higher (p<0.001) in groups A and B vs group C. In group C there were links between
IGF-I and age (r=-0.60; p=0.014) The
IGF-I/age relation disappeared in the groups A and B (rA=-0.26; rB=0.10; NS). The same regards
IGFBP-3/ age link (rA=-0.44, NS; rB=0,31;NS).
Estradiol level was related to hGH levels in group C (r=-0.54; p<0.05). In none of groups hGH/IGF-1 as well as
IGFBP-3/hGH relations were found.
Prolactin accounted for 69% of the variance in
IGF-I level in the group B (p=0.003) and for 24% in group A (NS).
Testosterone accounted for 88% (p=0.004) of the variance in
IGF-I level in group B and
IGFBP-3 was responsible for 86% (p=0.038) of the variance in
IGF-I level in group C. Again
IGFBP-3 was responsible for 47% (p=0.023) in group A and for 49% (p=0.04) in group B of the hGH variance.
CONCLUSIONS: