Plasma levels of TSH, GH and cortisol were determined overnight in 4 healthy adults and over 48 hr in 1 man using a continuous blood sampling technique and polygraphic sleep monitoring. GH levels rose after sleep onset in 3 subjects and correlated with slow wave (Stage 3 & 4) sleep. Correlations between cortisol levels and sleep and wakefulness were found but there was no relationship between changes in TSH levels and sleep stage. While there were negative correlations in time between TSH and cortisol concentrations, consistent with inverse circadian rhythms, there were short-term fluctuations in the levels of both hormones which were positively correlated in the 4 overnight studies.

Journal Article Temporal Patterns of Integrated Plasma Hormone Levels During Sleep and Wakefulness. II. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone, Luteinizing Hormone, Testosterone and Estradiol Get access F. P. ALFORD, F. P. ALFORD 1Medical Research Center and Monash University Department of Medicine, Prince Henry's Hospital Australia; Monash University Department of Surgery, Alfred Hospital Australia; Howard Florey Institute of Experimental Physiology & Medicine, University of Melbourne Australia Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar H. W. G. BAKER, H. W. G. BAKER 1Medical Research Center and Monash University Department of Medicine, Prince Henry's Hospital Australia; Monash University Department of Surgery, Alfred Hospital Australia; Howard Florey Institute of Experimental Physiology & Medicine, University of Melbourne Australia Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar H. G. BURGER, H. G. BURGER 1Medical Research Center and Monash University Department of Medicine, Prince Henry's Hospital Australia; Monash University Department of Surgery, Alfred Hospital Australia; Howard Florey Institute of Experimental Physiology & Medicine, University of Melbourne Australia Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar D. M. de KRETSER, D. M. de KRETSER 1Medical Research Center and Monash University Department of Medicine, Prince Henry's Hospital Australia; Monash University Department of Surgery, Alfred Hospital Australia; Howard Florey Institute of Experimental Physiology & Medicine, University of Melbourne Australia Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar B. HUDSON, B. HUDSON 1Medical Research Center and Monash University Department of Medicine, Prince Henry's Hospital Australia; Monash University Department of Surgery, Alfred Hospital Australia; Howard Florey Institute of Experimental Physiology & Medicine, University of Melbourne Australia Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar M. W. JOHNS, M. W. JOHNS 1Medical Research Center and Monash University Department of Medicine, Prince Henry's Hospital Australia; Monash University Department of Surgery, Alfred Hospital Australia; Howard Florey Institute of Experimental Physiology & Medicine, University of Melbourne Australia Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar J. P. MASTERTON, J. P. MASTERTON 1Medical Research Center and Monash University Department of Medicine, Prince Henry's Hospital Australia; Monash University Department of Surgery, Alfred Hospital Australia; Howard Florey Institute of Experimental Physiology & Medicine, University of Melbourne Australia Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Y. C. PATEL, Y. C. PATEL 1Medical Research Center and Monash University Department of Medicine, Prince Henry's Hospital Australia; Monash University Department of Surgery, Alfred Hospital Australia; Howard Florey Institute of Experimental Physiology & Medicine, University of Melbourne Australia Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar G. C. RENNIE G. C. RENNIE 1Medical Research Center and Monash University Department of Medicine, Prince Henry's Hospital Australia; Monash University Department of Surgery, Alfred Hospital Australia; Howard Florey Institute of Experimental Physiology & Medicine, University of Melbourne Australia Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 37, Issue 6, 1 December 1973, Pages 848–854, https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem-37-6-848 Published: 01 December 1973 Article history Received: 12 April 1973 Published: 01 December 1973

Definition of rhythms and mean daily levels of GH, TSH, LH, FSH and testosterone has been obtained by a continuous blood sampling technique using a double lumen catheter and measurement of integrated plasma levels by sensitive and precise radioligand assays in 9 healthy young adults (7 males and 2 females). In each subject, sequential continuous blood samples of 3–4 hr duration were obtained over a 24-hr period of near normal activity. Growth hormone rises in samples coincident with sleep onset in the males, a circadian rhythm of TSH levels (peak at midnight, nadir in the afternoon) and no significant time related changes of LH and FSH levels in the whole group or of testosterone in the males were found.