Long-Term Administration of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone in Men with Idiopathic Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism

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Abstract
The effect of long-term administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) for induction and maintenance of sexual maturation was characterized in 23 men with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Twenty-two men achieved normal adult male serum testosterone concentrations (575 .+-. 33 ng/dL; p < 0.0001 compared with the baseline mean of 61 .+-. 6 ng/dL) that were sustained in 21 men for up to 36 months with bolus doses of GnRH varying from 25 to 300 ng/kg body weight administered every 2 hours. Pulsatile luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion occurred in all 23 men, with mean levels of LH (14.7 .+-. 1.3 mlU/mL) and follicle-stimulating hormone (11.3 .+-. 1.3 mIU/mL) within or above the normal range for adult men. Mature sperm were observed in the ejaculates of 20 men, with counts ranging from less than 1 .times. 106 to 96 .times. 106/mL. Increasing responsiveness of the pituitary-gonadal axis to GnRH was shown in 6 men. Men with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism present a useful model to study the onset and maintenance of reproductive function in men.

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