This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The purpose of this study is to isolate the pituitary response to GnRH as part of our studies to determine the effects of aging and estrogen feedback on the hypothalamic-pituitary components of the reproductive axis in young and old postmenopausal women. Subjects will be admitted to the GCRC for 5 days for a graded intravenous estradiol (E2) + progesterone (P) infusion. Blood will be sampled every 4 hr throughout the infusions and every 4 hr for 24 hr after the infusions are discontinued. PET scanning will be performed on admission before the administration of hormones, at 24 hr (during low dose E2 negative feedback) and at 72 hr (during high dose E2 + P positive feedback). All patients will also have an MRI performed either during their inpatient stay or within a month before or after the completion of the infusion portion of the protocol. All patients will have the Beck Depression Questionnaire 7 days prior to their admission. They will also have the Mood questionnaire.
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