Pituitary and Testicular Response to Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone in Normal and Sulpiride-Induced Hyperprolactinaemic Men

Summary

Pituitary and testicular response to an intravenous infusion of 480 µg luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) for 8 hours (1 µg/min) was investigated in 8 male volunteers in normal and hyperprolactinaemic state. Eight normal men were given 150 mg of sulpiride daily for 14 days. Serum prolactin (PRL) levels were elevated significantly, but basal serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) did not change following daily oral administration of sulpiride in 8 normal men. Eight men showed biphasic LH response to LHRH infusion in both normal and hyperprolactinaemic state, and there was a rather exaggerated response in serum LH concentration in hyperprolactinaemic state. Serum FSH response to LHRH was similar in normal and hyperprolactinaemic state.

Although slight increase in serum testosterone concentration was observed during LHRH infusion in normal and hyperprolactinaemic state, the statistical difference was not significant. The result of the present study suggests that the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis, as measured by serum gonadotrophin and testosterone responses, is well reserved.

Key words

Pituitary - Testis - Hyperprolactinaemia - LHRH