PULSATILE ADMINISTRATION OF GONADOTROPIN-RELEASING-HORMONE AS A DIAGNOSTIC-TOOL TO DISTINGUISH HYPOTHALAMIC FROM PITUITARY HYPOGONADISM FOLLOWING NEUROSURGERY

Nine patients suffering from severe amenorrhoea following neurosurgica l or radiotherapy for pituitary tumour of craniopharyngeoma were treat ed with pulsatile gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) administratio n. Seven patients did exhibit ovulatory cycles when GnRH was administe red i.v. at a dose of 20 mug/pulse, but not at lower doses or when GnR H was administered s.c. Pulsatile GnRH administration may be used to a ssess the functional integrity of pituitary gonadotrophs and to distin guish pituitary from hypothalamic site of lesion resulting in hypogona dotrophic hypogonadism. It may also be used successfully for treatment of infertility in such patients.