Abstract
The response to exogenous testosterone enanthate (TE) (200mg IM once each month for three months) was evaluated in 10 males, age 16 ± 0.8 years (mean ± 1 S.D.) diagnosed as constitutional delay of puberty (CD). Prior to the onset of therapy, the following were measured: serum LH and GH every 30 min. for 24 hrs; FSH-LH conc. following a single 100 μg bolus of Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH); the GH conc. following sequential arginine-insulin stimulation. Two months after the last injection of TE, the same series of tests were performed. Patients have been followed 1 – 2-1/2 yrs. All 7 patients who were Tanner Stage I had a significant increase (p < .01) in both the mean 24 hr concentration of LH and GH, a significantly increased LH conc. following GnRH, p < .01, and a significantly increased plasma testosterone conc. (p < .001), although the last dose of TE was 60 days earlier. All patients have continued their pubertal progression as evidenced by continued increase in plasma testosterone, progression in secondary sex characteristics and normal osseous maturation without compromise in predicted height. These results may be compatable with a testosterone induced maturation of hypothalamic pituitary function.
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Gutai, J., Postellon, D., Salas, M. et al. Maturation of pituitary-hypothalamic function by exogenous testosterone enanthate. Pediatr Res 13, 1195 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197910000-00092
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197910000-00092