Potent agonist and antagonist analogues of luliberin containing an azaglycine residue in position 10.

Potent agonist and antagonist analogues of luliberin containing an azaglycine residue in position 10 were synthesised and tested in androgen-sterilised constant-oestrus rats. The agonist, [D-Ser(But)6, Azgly10]-luliberin, induced ovulation at a dose of 6ng/rat i.v., 10μg/rat p.o. and was at least five times as potent as [D-Ser(But)6, des-Gly-NH210, Pro-ethylamide9]-luliberin. [D-Ser(But)6, Azgly10]-luliberin (1μg/rat) also prevented HCG-induced increases in ovarian and uterine weight in immature rats and was a highly potent antitumour agent when given to rats bearing DMBA-induced mammary tumours. The antagonist, [D-Phe2, D-Phe6, Azgly10]-luliberin at a dose of 15μg/rat completely inhibited ovulation induced by luliberin (0.5μg/rat), whereas [D-Phe2, D-Phe6]-luliberin lost activity below 125μg/rat.