[Characteristics of the functioning of the human hypophyseal-gonadal system during 1-time sleep deprivation]

The authors studied indices of the activity of the hypophyseogonadal system under the conditions of single sleep deprivation of 24-36 h duration and in the period of recovery. Eleven healthy men aged 21 to 26 were recruited in the study. Two series of investigations were performed: I--the examinees were studied before, after 24 h sleep deprivation and after the first recovery night; II--the scheme of investigation was identical but it included electroauriculopuncture 5-6 h after the start of sleep deprivation. The 24 h sleep deprivation was accompanied by an increase in ACTH and LH secretion, a decrease in the levels of STH, prolactin, total androgens and progesterone in the examinees' blood. On the whole, electroauriculopuncture optimized the activity of the hypophyseogonadal system expressed in lesser changes in the secretion of the above hormones in response to sleep deprivation.