The role of oestrogens on gonadotrophin secretion in the testicular feminization syndrome.

The role of oestrogens on gonadotrophin secretion was assessed in three related patients with the complete form of testicular feminization syndrome. Serum LH and FSH levels were measured before and after LRH stimulation as well as before, during and after chronic clomiphene citrate administration. Moderately elevated LH basal levels with a significant LH rise following LRH were observed. Normal or even low FSH level with poor response to LRH were found in all subjects. Administration of clomiphene citrate resulted in a significant serum LH increase without any change of FSH. Following castration both LH and FSH rose and a normal response to LRH was observed. These results were interpreted as demonstrating that, while endogenous oestrogens modulate LH secretion in patients with androgen unresponsiveness, it plays no role in regulating FSH secretion and suggested that a factor of testicular origin without androgenic or oestrogenic activity is responsible for FSH regulation.