Influence of endogenous and exogenous oestrogens on posterior pituitary secretion in women

Four normally menstruating subjects were studied throughout the menstrual cycle to investigate changes in plasma LH, arginine vasopressin (AVP), oxytocin (OT) and oxytocin associated neurophysin (NPOT). A clear mid-cycle LH peak was observed in each subject. Mean levels of AVP, OT and NPOT were 2.2 pmol/l, 1.1 pmol/l and 39 pmol/l, respectively. There were no significant differences between plasma levels during follicular, mid-cycle and luteal phases for each of these. Two further subjects with anovulatory cycles were studied in a similar way. In the first subject, with polycystic ovarian disease, posterior pituitary peptide levels were in the normal range, whereas the other subject, recovering from anorexia nervosa, had raised plasma levels of all posterior pituitary peptides (AVP 8.1 pmol/l, OT 1.8 pmol/l, NPOT 131 pmol/l, mean values) despite a normal osmolality. Administration of ethinyl oestradiol, 100 micrograms or 500 micrograms, had no effect of either AVP or OT, but 100 micrograms caused a marked rise in NPOT levels in all cases within 12 h (from mean 64 pmol/l to mean 196 pmol/l) and the levels remained elevated for 3 d.