Pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone treatment of men with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.
OBJECTIVE
To induce testicular growth and spermatogenesis, 11 patients with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism were treated with long-term subcutaneous pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) administration. Three patients had a history of undescended testes. Patients who did not respond to therapy with a sufficient increase in serum testosterone or spermatogenesis were offered additional injections with hCG or, after discontinuation of GnRH, either combined therapy with hCG and hMG or recombinant FSH.


RESULTS
During treatment testicular volume and serum levels of FSH, LH and testosterone increased. Semen analysis revealed the presence of spermatogenesis in 9 of the 11 patients (8 on GnRH alone and in 1 when hCG/hMG was subsequently instituted), and 7 pregnancies have resulted thus far.


CONCLUSIONS
Pulsatile GnRH therapy is a well-tolerated and effective therapy for the induction of spermatogenesis in some men with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. It appears that a significant fraction of them should be treated for a minimum of 1-2 years to maximize testicular growth and achieve spermatogenesis. Cryptorchidism was a negative prognostic factor.
Christiansen
Peter
P
Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Skakkebaek
Niels E
NE
D000328:Adult; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000172:deficiency*; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D013076:Sperm Count; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D006062:Gonadotropins; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013739:Testosterone