LACK OF ENDOGENOUS OPIOID INHIBITORY TONE ON LH SECRETION IN EARLY PUBERTY

Abstract

Thirteen normal children, seven males and six females, during early puberty (I‐II according to Tanner), have been studied. Each subject was injected at weekly intervals and in random order with 100 μg of LHRH, 0·2 mg/kg of naloxone and 0·9% saline in single bolus. The gonadotrophin response was evaluated. The administration of naloxone failed to elevate LH levels in any of the subjects studied, even in those who showed a clear gonadotrophin response to LHRH. Unlike the response noted in adults, endogenous opiates do not appear to exert a tonic inhibitory influence on LH secretion during early pubery.