Pulsatile administration of gonadotrophin releasing hormone as a diagnostic tool to distinguish hypothalamic from pituitary hypogonadism following neurosurgery

Abstract

Nine patients suffering from severe amenorrhoea following neurosurgical or radiotherapy for pituitary tumour or craniopharyngeoma were treated with pulsatile gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) administration. Seven patients did exhibit ovulatory cycles when GnRH was administered i.v. at a dose of 20 micrograms/pulse, but not at lower doses or when GnRH was administered s.c. Pulsatile GnRH administration may be used to assess the functional integrity of pituitary gonadotrophs and to distinguish pituitary from hypothalamic site of lesion resulting in hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism. It may also be used successfully for treatment of infertility in such patients.