--Disease Characteristics-- Active acromegaly with growth hormone (GH) hypersecretion confirmed within 1 month prior to entry, i.e.: Somatomedin C elevated GH not below 2 ng/mL on standard 100 g oral glucose tolerance test Postmenopausal and hypogonadal women eligible Volunteers aged 18 to 30 recruited for up to 3 stimulation tests Weight within 15% of ideal Physical exam normal No history of disease No requirement for medication No medical or mental contraindication to protocol participation, including heavy alcohol or tobacco use No pregnant women --Prior/Concurrent Therapy-- Not specified --Patient Characteristics-- Age: 18 to 65 Hematopoietic: No anemia Hepatic: No hepatic disease Renal: No renal disease Cardiovascular: No uncontrolled hypertension No heart disease Other: No requirement for replacement gonadal steroids, glucocorticoids, or thyroxine No mental illness No heavy alcohol use No tobacco use No drug abuse No medical contraindication to protocol therapy