Ovulation induction with pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone: a study of the subcutaneous route of administration

The efficacy of ovulation induction with the use of intermittent gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) therapy was examined in seven infertile women with hypothalamic amenorrhea. GnRH was administered every 90 minutes via the subcutaneous route in doses ranging from 50 to 300 ng/kg. Analysis of the induced gonadotropin pulse pattern revealed normal to modestly increased luteinizing hormone secretory parameters (e.g., pulse amplitude) in six of the seven patients. Six of seven women and 15 of 16 treatment cycles (94%) were ovulatory. The conception rate was 43% per woman and 19% per cycle. However, detailed hormonal analysis of 13 treatment cycles revealed that only 1 cycle was entirely normal in terms of duration and/or steroid secretion.