Effects of a-Bromoergocriptine on Pituitary Hormone Secretion in Children*

Abstract

The effect of bromoergocriptine (BE) on human GH (hGH), PRL, LH, FSH, TSH, and blood sugar levels was evaluated in a series of 22 normal children. Blood samples were collected in basal conditions and after 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 min of BE administration (1.25 or 0.62mg⁄os). The drug induced a marked and sustained increase in hGH ecretion when basal serum levels of the hormone were lower than 10.0 ng⁄ml (n=15). When basal hGH serum levels were higher (n=7), BE provoked either a late increase of serum hGH in most children (n=5) or a persistent decrease in hGH (n=2). On the other hand, BE markedly inhibited PRL secretion without modifying LH, FSH, or TSH. The data obtained suggest that BE can be used as a useful tool for the assessment of hGH secretion in children. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab52: 314, 1981)