Spironolactone stimulation of gonadotropin secretion in boys with delayed adolescence.
Publication/Presentation Date
12-1-1976
Abstract
Spironolactone (Aldactone) acts as an antiandrogen by blocking testosterone synthesis and competing with testosterone for the androgen receptor. These properties of the mineralcorticoid antagonist were used in an attempt to interrupt the gonadal-pituitary-hypothalamic negative feedback axis and thereby stimulate LH and FSH in 7 boys with delayed puberty. Following administration of aldactone (5 mg/kg) daily for one week, there was a significant (P less than .01) mean increase in serum LH of 60%. In all 7 boys an absolute rise in LH was observed, but these changes were statistically significant in only 5 individuals. While mean FSH levels increased by 60% in this group of boys, the individual responses were variable. No rise in gonadotropin levels occurred in 2 patients with Kallmann's syndrome, who also received 5 mg/kg of spironolactone daily for 1 week. Large doses of the drug appeared necessary to stimulate gonadotropin secretion since a dose of 3 mg/kg per day did not cause LH or FSH increments in 2 additional patients with delayed puberty. Progesterone and 17alpha-hydeoxyprogesterone levels increased to a greater extent than LH and FSH in response to spironolactone, reflecting either adrenal or testicular enzyme inhibition. Spiornolactone is the first drug shown to be capable of stimulating gonadotropin secretion by interrupting negative feedback inhibition in boys with delayed puberty.
Volume
43
Issue
6
First Page
1386
Last Page
1390
ISSN
0021-972X
Published In/Presented At
Santen, R. J., Kulin, H. E., Loriaux, D. L., & Friend, J. (1976). Spironolactone stimulation of gonadotropin secretion in boys with delayed adolescence. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 43(6), 1386–1390. https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem-43-6-1386
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Pediatrics
PubMedID
1002822
Department(s)
Department of Pediatrics
Document Type
Article