PITUITARY FUNCTION IN NORMOPROLACTINAEMIC INFERTILE MEN RECEIVING BROMOCRIPTINE

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Abstract
A double blind trial of bromocriptine 7.5 mg daily vs. placebo was carried out in 10 infertile men. Pretreatment basal plasma prolactin, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) [thyrotropin], testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) [lutropin] concentrations were normal, but plasma follicle-stimulating-hormone (FSH) [follitropin] was raised in 4 individuals. After 4 mo. treatment with bromocriptine a significant fall in plasma prolactin was observed (P < 0.01), both under basal conditions and following thyroid stimulating hormone releasing hormone (TRH) [thyroliberin]. Basal plasma gonadotropin, testosterone and TSH concentrations did not alter. No change in sperm density, volume or motility was noted. An apparent fall in the peak plasma LH (but not FSH) response to gonadotropin releasing hormone (LHRH) [gonadoliberin] was observed in patients receiving bromocriptine. This reduction in plasma LH responsiveness was significant when compared with the baseline response (P < 0.05) but failed to reach significance when compared with the placebo response. Prolonged bromocriptine therapy in normoprolactinemic men does not suppress FSH secretion, and any reduction in plasma LH responsiveness to LHRH is not accompanied by a significant fall in plasma testosterone.