Variability of Cortisol and Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Responses to Metoclopramide during the Menstrual Cycle

Responses of cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) to metoclopramide (MCP) were examined in normal women throughout the menstrual cycle. The administration of MCP increased circulating levels of cortisol and ACTH in normal women during the mid-luteal but not during the early and late follicular phases. MCP may stimulate ACTH release through an antidopaminergic mechanism, and endogenous dopaminergic tone is likely to be increased during the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase. Consequently, the positive responses of cortisol and ACTH to MCP observed in the subjects during the mid-luteal phase may be related to the increased dopaminergic tone.