[Idiopathic hemochromatosis and gonadotropin secretion (author's transl)]

18 patients suffering from idiopathic hemochromatosis were studied. Plasma testosterone was stimulated by HCG. Basal plasma LH and FSH were significantly lower for the male group compared to healthy men. Lack of reponse of plasma LH and FSH after IV LHRH (100 microgram) was observed in 10 cases; among the patients with a normal response there were a postmenopausal woman, a 47 XXY syndrome, and the two youngest patients. Repeated infusions of LHRH (200 microgram/day x 5 d) did not increase LH in 8 out of 9 cases. Repeated plasma LH determination for 4 hours showed no pulsatile pattern in 6/7 patients. Plasma LH-RH measured in 7 cases was not elevated. The conclusion is that hypogonadism in hemochromatosis, when present, is related to a gonadotropin secretion defect, presumably of pituitary origin.