Pituitary and/or Peripheral Estrogen-Receptor α Regulates Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Secretion, Whereas Central Estrogenic Pathways Direct Growth Hormone and Prolactin Secretion in Postmenopausal Women

Abstract

Responses to a non-CNS permeant ERalpha antagonist indicate that E2 inhibits FSH secretion in part via pituitary/peripheral ERalpha, drives prolactin output via nonpituitary/nonperipheral-ERalpha effects, and directs GH secretion and IGF-I-binding proteins by complex mechanisms.