SERUM DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE (DHA) AND SULPHATE (DHAS) AFTER ACUTE GROWTH HORMONE THERAPY

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Abstract
To test the hypothesis that growth hormone (hGH) may increase adrenal androgen production dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) and its sulfate (DHAS) concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay in the serum from 7 children with growth hormone deficiency, 2 of whom had delayed puberty. Two hGH injections (10 mg) were given 48 h apart and the hormone concentrations measured at 3, 6, 24 and 48 h after the 1st injection, 3, 6 and 24 h after the second. Basal DHA levels were positively correlated with age and bone age in 6 of the 7 patients (P < 0.05). Increments of DHA and DHAS above or below basal at each time interval were calculated. The mean increments were higher (P < 0.01-0.05) at 3 h after the 1st injection and at 24 h (P < 0.025-0.05) after the second when compared to any other time during the test. Basal DHA concentrations were positively correlated with increments in DHA during the 1st and 2nd 24 h of the test (P < 0.05). DHAS concentrations showed little change throughout the test for all children. Some children with growth hormone deficiency and receptive adrenals, apparently increase their serum DHA concentrations after acute hGH therapy.