Post-coital contraceptive effects of an agonistic analogue of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone.

An analogue of synthetic hypothalamic LRH, D-[ALA]6-DES-[GLY]10-PRO9-ethylamide-LRH (Wy-18,481) was evaluated for agonistic (in vivo LH-releasing and ovulation-inducing), post-coital contraceptive and reproductive target organ effects. Both LRH and the analogue terminated pregnancy; there appeared to be a direct relationship between agonistic and post-coital contraceptive potency and activity. The analogue proved to be a potent agonist and both a pre-and post-implantational post-coital anti-fertility agent. In contrast to LRH, the congener did not produce a uterotrophic effect in the hypophysectomized rat. The data suggest that agonist analogue(s) of LRH can terminate pregnancy via hyperstimulation of the pituitary-ovarian-reproductive complex and the use of members of this neurohormonal class as potential clinical pro-fertility agents should be weighted with caution.