Hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis and adrenal function before and after ovariectomy in premenopausal women

The hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is modulated by sex hormones. Few data exist on the relation between acute estrogen deficit and HPA axis response to corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). The effects of a sudden drop in estradiol levels on basal and CRH-stimulated levels of ACTH, cortisol, testosterone, androstenedione and 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) were assessed in nine premenopausal women (44-48 years of age), before and after ovariectomy. The CRH test was performed before and 8 days after ovariectomy. A significant reduction in ACTH and adrenal steroids but not in cortisol response to CRH was observed after ovariectomy. The ratio of Δ(max) androstenedione/17-OHP after CRH stimulation was substantially the same before and after ovariectomy, whereas Δ(max) 17-OHP/cortisol was significantly lower in ovariectomized women showing increased 21- and 11β- hydroxylase activity. The results show that the acute estrogen deficit induces changes in the HPA axis characterized by reduced stimulated secretion of ACTH and steroids but normal stimulated cortisol production.