Effect of synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) on the release of gonadotropins in hypophyso-gonadal disorders of children and adolescents. V. Agonadism.

ABSTRACT The effects of synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) on serum gonadotropins (LH and FSH) levels in 24 unpuberal hypopituitary patients have been compared to those observed in 25 normal prepuberal children. In control boys (n = 17) the mean level of LH rose from 1.9 ng LER 960/ml (basal) to 10 ng/ml (peak), and the mean level of FSH rose from 1.3 ng LER 1366/ml (basal) to 2.3 ng/ml (peak). In control girls (n = 8) the mean level of LH rose from 1.5 ng LER 960/ml (basal) to 4.7 ng/ml (peak), and the mean level of FSH rose from 1.1 ng LER 1366/ml (basal) to 4.5 ng/ml (peak). In 3 patients with organic hypopituitarism who failed to respond to TRH, no response to LH-RH was obtained. In 10 male patients with evidence of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, including 3 cases with multiple deficiencies and normal response to TRH, the mean peak value of LH after LH-RH was 2.9 ng LER 960/ml, significantly lower than in controls (p ≤ 0.001). LH failed to rise in 2 patients of this group and FSH ...