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Gonadotrophin response to LH-RH in boys with delayed growth and adolescence

M O Savage, M A Preece, N Cameron

    Archives of Disease in Childhood
    |July 1, 1981
    PubMed

    Insights

    This study assessed luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) responses to luteinising hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) in boys with growth delay. Results indicate a normal hormonal response relative to pubertal stage, suggesting the pituitary gland functions appropriately.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Endocrinology
    • Reproductive Endocrinology
    • Growth Disorders

    Background:

    • Growth delay in prepubertal and pubertal boys can be associated with hormonal imbalances.
    • Assessing the pituitary-gonadal axis is crucial for diagnosing the causes of growth delay.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To evaluate the pituitary response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in boys with growth delay.
    • To determine if LH and FSH release patterns correlate with pubertal status and bone age.

    Main Methods:

    • Measured plasma luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels before and after intravenous administration of LH-releasing hormone (LH-RH).
    • Studied 33 boys with growth delay, divided into prepubertal (n=18) and pubertal (n=15) groups.

    Main Results:

    • Both prepubertal and pubertal boys exhibited low basal LH and FSH levels.
    • Significant mean increments in LH (3.2 U/l prepubertal, 7.4 U/l pubertal) and FSH (2.6 U/l prepubertal, 2.0 U/l pubertal) were observed post-LH-RH.
    • LH increment positively correlated with bone age (r=0.71, P<0.001), while FSH did not.

    Conclusions:

    • The LH-RH stimulation test demonstrated a normal pituitary response in boys with growth delay, considering their stage of maturity.
    • The findings suggest that the pituitary gonadotropic function is likely intact in these patients.

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