The effects of different dose regimes of D-SER(TBU)6-LHRH-EA10 (HOE 766) in subjects with hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism.

Eight male patients with hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism were treated with injections of a long acting LHRH analogue, HOE 766. Six of the patients were on daily subcutaneous injections of 5 microgram of this analogue at the start of this study and were changed to alternate-daily injections of the same dose for 1-3 months. They were then treated with twice-daily injections of 0.5 microgram HOE 766, as was another subject not previously treated. The HOE 766 twice-daily was given alone for 1 or 2 months and then sex steroid replacement therapy was added to this for a further 4-5 months. There was no clinical improvement or rise in plasma testosterone levels until sex steroid therapy was commenced. Basal LH and FSH levels and peak responses to 100 microgram LHRH remained low throughout the study. It is concluded that these variations in dose and interval of administration do not overcome the lack of pituitary response which is a feature of prolonged treatment with LHRH analogues.