The somatotropic axis in postmenopausal women during six month of transdermal continuous 17beta-estradiol administration combined with oral medroxyprogesterone.

Abstract Aim: The evaluation of the influence of continuous transdermal estradiol supplementation combined with oral medroxyprogesterone on the somatotropic axis in postmenopausal women. Material and methods: 25 women completed the study. Group A – 13 women received transdermal 17β-estradiol(Oesclim 50 - Fournier-Solvay) combined with oral 5 mg daily medroxyprogesterone (Gestomikron - Adamed).Group B - 12 women without treatment. Basic plasma FSH, estradiol, glucose, insulin, SHBG, hGH, total and freeIGF-I, IGFBP-1 as well as IGFBP-3 were measured initially and at the 12th and 24th week of the study. Results: The mean plasma FSH level was reduced and mean plasma estradiol level was increased in group A during estradiol supplementation. Mean plasma level of free IGF-I and free to total IGF-I ratio were increased in group A during 24 weeks of hormone therapy. In the control group (group B) there was the significant increase in mean plasma IGFBP-3 level. Other parameters showed no significant changes in the control group. Conclusion: The administration of transdermal 17β-estradiol combined with oral medroxyprogesterone increases the IGF-I bioavailability. However this influence do not exceed the physiologial level of IGF-I bioavailability.