Effect of D-leucine-6-luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone ethylamide in patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with anosmia.

Four men with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and anosmia were tested with acute intravenous injections of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) and D-leucine-6-LH-RH-ethylamide (D-L eu-6-LH-RH-EA) with a 1-week interval. Each patient was then treated with this drug for 60 days and tested again after this period with an intravenous injection of D-L eu-6-LH-RH-EA. The administration of LH-RH resulted in a significant increase in the LH level in only one patient and in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone increases in none. The analog D-Leu-6-LH-RH-EA resulted in significant increases in LH levels in two patients, in FSH levels in three, and in testosterone levels in one. Results obtained after treatment were closely similar to those observed before treatment. Clinical improvement in terms of increased libido, erection, pubic hair growth, and testicular size was observed. D-Leu-6-LH-RH-EA could be useful in the treatment of patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, a possibility deserving further studies.