Study summary · research use only
GnRH agonists: gonadorelin, leuprolide and nafarelin
Plain-language summary
Paraphrased from the published abstract below — not a verdict on whether anything works.
This review discusses GnRH agonists (gonadorelin, leuprolide, and nafarelin) in humans. The authors describe gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) as a hypothalamic decapeptide that regulates production and release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). They report that parenteral GnRH was initially used diagnostically as a test of adenohypophyseal reserve and then therapeutically for hypothalamic hypogonadal and infertility states in men and women. Because native GnRH has low potency and a short half-life, long-acting potent analogs were developed that suppress pituitary gonadotropin secretion, described as producing medical gonadectomy. The authors state that, given parenterally or intranasally, these compounds are used in managing prostate and breast carcinoma, endometriosis, uterine leiomyomata, precocious puberty, and nontumorous ovarian hyperandrogenic syndromes.
Abstract
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), a decapeptide synthesized and released by the hypothalamus, regulates production and release of the gonadotropins luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) by the adenohypophysis. Parenterally administered GnRH was initially used diagnostically as a test of adenohypophyseal reserve of LH and FSH. Subsequently, native GnRH was used therapeutically to treat hypothalamic hypogonadal and infertility states in both men and women. Because of the low potency and short half-life of native GnRH, long-acting, potent analogs have been developed that suppress secretion of native pituitary gonadotropins, resulting in medical gonadectomy. When administered parenterally and, more recently, intranasally, these compounds are useful in the management of prostate and breast carcinoma, endometriosis and uterine leiomyomata, precocious puberty and nontumorous ovarian hyperandrogenic syndromes.
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