We evaluated 12 patients with hypogonadism: 6 complete (CHH) with testicular volume <4ml and 6 partial (PHH) with testicular volume 4-10 ml, without progression for at least 2 years and without reaching adult testicular volume. The chronological age of the CHH ranged between 13.8 and 32 yr(x:19.6), and that of the PHH, 14.9 and 20 yr(x:17.7). A continous LH-RH infusion (0.83 ug/min for 120′) was performed measuring [Illegible Text] by Delfia-Spec. IRMA and Bioassay, and FSR (IRMA) at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 120′ and basal testosterone(T)(RIA). LH(Delfla-Spec. IRMA and Bioassay) and T(RIA) basal measurement was also performed in 13 prepubertal and 14 pubertal healthy children. The Mann-Whitney test was used for the statistical comparison between both groups (basal vs basal and max resp vs max resp). The results of the infusion as median (Md) and range were.Table

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In FSH (mlU/ml) a statistically significant difference was lound only in basal values (Md CHH:1.40 vs PHH:5.10;p<0.05). T(ng/ml) showed statistically lower levels in the CHH as compared to the PHH (Md:0.2 vs 1.02:p<0.01). Prepupertal controls showed (Md and range) LH(Delfia):0.25(0.02-2.25), LH(IRMA):0.52 (0.4-1.4), LH(Bio):0.2 (0.2-1.5) and T:0.25(0.1-0.7). While the pubertal controls showed LH(Delfia):2.26( 0.6-3.9) LH(IRMA) 1.55(0.4-2.8), LH(Bio):3.2 (0.2·17.3) and T:2.5(0.07·5.15). The basal LH range(Delfla-IRMA.Bio) in the CHH overlapped with that of the prepubertal controls. While in the PHH. It overlapped with that of the pubertal controls. Conclusion: The LH measurements (Delfia. IRMA) made it possible to biochemically characterize different degrees of impalrment of the gonadotropin axis. However, the overlapping of individual values between CHH and PHH, and between them and prepuhertal and pubertal controls respectively, reinforces the usefulness of the LH-RH infusion In the future, the comparison of these results with those of patients with delayed puberty would make it possible to prospectively distinguish between physiological and pathological conditions.