A Family with Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism and Mutations in the Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptor

Abstract

Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism is often associated with anosmia in a condition known as Kallmann's syndrome. The gene for the X-linked form of Kallmann's syndrome has been mapped to chromosome Xp22.3,1 and several mutations have been described.2–4 In idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism there is no anosmia, and the involved genes have not been characterized. One possible candidate is the gene for gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), especially since hypogonadal mice with the deletion of this gene have been identified.5 However, no abnormality of the gene for GnRH has been found in several patients with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.6–9 The gene for the GnRH receptor . . .