A B S T R A C T The effect of estrogen on prolactin (PRL) release and gonadotropin suppression was assessed in six experiments performed on four hypogonadal women. Ethinyl estradiol at a dose of 1 Ag/kg per day induced a significant elevation of serum PRL levels within the 1st wk of treatment. There was a further rise until a plateau was reached in about 3-4 wk to levels of more than 3 times the initial concentration. This was accompanied by a pattern of increased episodic fluctuation. The corresponding serum luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone fell progressively during the study period. These data indicate that a positive feedback relationship between estrogen and PRL release exists in humans.

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