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Lack of Release of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin by Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone

Endocrine Research Laboratory, Medical and Research Services, Veterans Administration Wadsworth Hospital Center Los Angeles, California Departments of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, California Yale University New Haven, Connecticut

Reprints: Jerome M. Hershman, M.D., Endocrinology, Wadsworth VA Hospital, Los Angeles, California 90073.

To assess the effect of TRH on the secretion of hCG, TRH in doses of 25 to 500 µg was administered to 10 pregnant women of 6 to 12 weeks or 16 to 20 weeks of gestation. There was no significant change in the serum hCG concentration during the ensuing 90 min. In women 6 to 12 weeks pregnant, doses of 25 µg, 100 µg, or 500 µg TRH elicited similar increments in serum TSH. Women 16 to 20 weeks pregnant had a slightly higher baseline TSH and a greater TSH response to TRH than the 6-12 week pregnant group. Although hCG may be an important thyroid stimulator in the first trimester of pregnancy, its secretion is not affected by TRH.

Supported by VA Research Program 3590-03, USPHS Grant HD-7181, and a grant from the National Foundation-March of Dimes.

Received July 2, 1975.