The use of recombinant FSH in combination therapy in a young male with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism

Abstract

Currently, testosterone drugs are used to treat hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, which allow men to get a good height and reach a stage of sexual development corresponding to their age. In this case, the testicular volume remains of pre-pubertal size, and the spermatogenic epithelium fails to reach its mature stage under such conditions. The study was aimed at initiating puberty in a 17-year-old male with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism using gonadotropic hormone drugs. The patient received foliotropinalpha injections in combination with chorionic gonadotropin for 9 months. The treatment efficacy was evaluated after 3, 6, 9 months of therapy by measuring the testicle volume (using Prader orchidometer and ultrasound) and the sex hormones and inhibin B serum levels. During the treatment period, the testicle volume increased from 1.5 to 8 ml based on clinical measurements, and from 1.38 and 1.14 to 5.8 and 5.87 ml (right and left, respectively) based on ultrasound imaging. The level of testosterone reached normal values, inhibin B also increased. The use of recombinant FSH for nine months in the combination therapy of idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in a 17-year-old male contributed to the initiation of a true puberty.

Keywords

• hypogonadism
• young men
• inhibin b
• testosterone
• gonadotropins