The role of N-acyl groups in the inhibitory activity of LH-RH analogues.

Inhibitory analogues of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) were prepared with formyl-D-Trp1, acetyl-D-Trp1, valeryl-D-Trp1, tartaryl-D-Trp1, diacetyl-tartaryl-D-Trp1, acetyl-Gly1, and acetyl-Sar1 successively replacing the position one in the analogue [D-Trp1, D-p-Cl-Phe2, D-Trp3, D-Phe6, D-Ala10]-LH-RH. The formyl-D-Trp1 and acetyl-D-Trp1 analogues yielded 100% blockade of ovulation at the 10 micrograms dose; the others were less potent and inhibited ovulation at the 50 micrograms dose. The inhibitory potency seems to correlate with the polarity of the acyl group.