Effect of Lh-Rh on antibody formation, sperm count and plasma levels of gonadotropins and testosterone in normal men.

Synthetic LH-RH was given to 15 healthy men divided into 3 groups of 5 each. A dose of 250 mug LH-RH was injected as a single intravenous bolus for 1 day, every other day for 3 days or for 7 consecutive days respectively. Antibody formation against this synthetic hormone was measured by testing for binding with 125I labeled LH-RH. No antibody formation was detected in any group during the seven day period. Sperm counts were done 1 week before and immediately after the administration of LH-RH, as well as 3 months later. Changes in sperm counts could not be related to the number of injections received. Gonadotropins (FSH and LH) were measured by RIA. There was a significant rise in plasma levels of both gonadotropins, but no signigicant changes in their basal level or percent response resulted from the repetitive administration of LH-RH. Plasma testosterone was also measured by RIA. There was no significant channge in either baseline or percent response in any of the groups after 1, 3 or 7 injections. Some individuals did show a significant rise in plasma testosterone levels, but this was not consistent and was not related to the number of injections administered. Thus, in this study, the repetitive administration of LH-RH did not alter pituitary responsiveness or result in antibody formation.