Neuropeptides in Human Reproduction

Neuropeptides in Human Reproduction

The investigators are seeking healthy volunteers and volunteers with reproductive disorders for the study of the role of dynorphin in the reproductive system. Dynorphin is a naturally occurring opioid hormone that is blocked by naloxone.

We hypothesize that naloxone, by blocking dynorphin, will stimulate production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and kisspeptin, two other naturally occurring reproductive hormones.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Ages 21-40 (healthy men and regularly cycling women) OR ages 18-75 (men and women with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH))

• Normal blood pressure (systolic BP <140 mm Hg, diastolic BP <90 mm Hg)

• White blood cell, platelets, prolactin, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)within 90%-110% of laboratory reference range

• Negative urine drug screen panel

• Hemoglobin:

  1. For healthy men and healthy regularly cycling women: normal
  2. For men and women with HH: No less than 0.5 gm/dL below the lower limit of the reference range for normal women

• Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, liver function tests not elevated

• For healthy subjects: Normal reproductive function and history

• For healthy subjects: Body Mass Index (BMI) 18.5-30kg/m2

• For subjects with HH: All medical conditions stable and well controlled

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of medication reaction requiring emergency medical attention
• Illicit drug use
• Consumption of more than 10 alcoholic drinks per week
• Difficulty with blood draws
• Currently seeking fertility, breastfeeding, or pregnant
• For healthy subjects: history of chronic disease and prescription medication use (with the exception of seasonal allergy medication)
• For subjects with HH: prescription medications known to affect reproductive endocrine function except for those used to treat the subject's reproductive condition