Efficacy and safety of pulsatile GnRH pump therapy in male infants with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism

Xi Wang; Zi Xia Zhang; Jiajia Chen; Dongxia Fu; Mengmeng Du; Yongxing Chen; Haiyan Wei

doi:10.1530/EC-24-0655

Endocrine Connections (Mar 2025)

Efficacy and safety of pulsatile GnRH pump therapy in male infants with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism

Xi Wang,
Zi Xia Zhang,
Jiajia Chen,
Dongxia Fu,
Mengmeng Du,
Yongxing Chen,
Haiyan Wei

Affiliations

Xi Wang: Department of Endocrinology, Genetics and Metabolism, Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital Affiliated of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
Zi Xia Zhang: Department of Endocrinology, Genetics and Metabolism, Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital Affiliated of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
Jiajia Chen: Department of Endocrinology, Genetics and Metabolism, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
Dongxia Fu: Department of Endocrinology, Genetics and Metabolism, Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital Affiliated of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
Mengmeng Du: Department of Endocrinology, Genetics and Metabolism, Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital Affiliated of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
Yongxing Chen: Department of Endocrinology, Genetics and Metabolism, Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital Affiliated of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
Haiyan Wei: Department of Endocrinology, Genetics and Metabolism, Zhengzhou Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital Affiliated of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1530/EC-24-0655
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 14, no. 5

Abstract

Read online

Introduction: To investigate the efficacy and safety of pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone pump therapy in male infants with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Methods: Seven male infants with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism who were treated in a single center between 2019 and 2022 were included. Each patient was treated by subcutaneous infusion of 5 μg/90 min gonadorelin via a pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone pump for 3–5 months. Data including age, drug dose, penile length, testicular volume and cryptorchidism were collected. Serum testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, anti-Müllerian hormone, inhibin B concentration and liver and kidney functions were also measured. Data were analyzed using paired t-test and rank-sum test. Results: Penile length increased from 1.27 ± 0.71 cm before treatment to 2.43 ± 0.90 cm after treatment, and testicular volume increased from 0.08 (0.04, 0.14) mL (left) and 0.08 (0.06, 0.12) mL (right) to 0.20 (0.16, 0.20) mL (left) and 0.22 (0.18, 0.30) mL (right). Inhibin B and anti-Müllerian hormone increased from 53.86 ± 11.54 pg/mL and 34.25 ± 12.48 ng/mL to 218.46 ± 32.34 pg/mL and 72.84 ± 9.24 ng/mL after treatment, respectively. At the end of the treatment, the testes of some children descended (6/13, 46.1%). During follow-up, the testes of two patients re-ascended to the inguinal region. No obvious adverse reactions were found in all patients before and after treatment. Conclusion: Pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone pump therapy can increase penile length, testicular volume, anti-Müllerian hormone levels and serum inhibin B levels in infants with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism without adverse effects. However, its long-term efficacy and safety require further follow-up.

Published in Endocrine Connections

ISSN: 2049-3614 (Online)
Publisher: Bioscientifica
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Specialties of internal medicine: Diseases of the endocrine glands. Clinical endocrinology
Website: http://www.endocrineconnections.com/

About the journal

Abstract

Keywords