Prognosis of sexual maturation in prepubertal boys with micropenis

Long-term observations were made of the prognosis for sexual maturation (onset of puberty) in 15 prepubertal boys with micropenis. Testosterone levels before and after HCG administration and LH and FSH responses to LH-RH were measured at the first visit and a few years later. In the eight boys who showed significant responses to the LH-RH and HCG tests, onset of puberty occurred with the exception of one patient. The remaining seven boys who showed no positive response to either stimulation test were treated with injections of HCG. However, no signs of sexual maturation were observed. These data demonstrate clearly that both the HCG test and the LH-RH test are very useful for prognosis of sexual maturation in patients with micropenis.