Effect of Estrogen on the Growth Hormone Response to theα-Adrenergic Agonist Clonidine in Women with Menopausal Flushing*

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Abstract
The serum GH response to the .alpha.2-adrenergic receptor agonist clonidine (0.5 mg, iv) was measured in 8 postmenopausal women with hot flushes before and during treatment with the conjugated estrogen premarin (1.25 mg, orally daily for 4 weeks), 9 normal premenopausal women, and 12 normal men. The men had a significantly greater GH response than did the age-matched premenopausal women (P < 0.05). The mean individual peak GH response was significantly higher in the premenopausal compared with the postmenopausal women (P < 0.05). Premarin decreased the number of hot flushes (P < 0.01), but had no effect on the GH response to clonidine. These results suggest that estrogens do not enhance .alpha.2-adrenergic mechanisms that regulate GH secretion and that improvement in menopausal flushing after estrogen therapy is not mediated by an effect on central .alpha.2-adrenergic function.