Abstract
It has previously been shown that abnormal neurophysiologic responses are associated with Kallmann’s syndrome. However, little is known about neurophysiologic responses in idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH). Fifty-six untreated male patients with IHH (mean age: 20±0.7 years) were compared with a control group of 20 age-matched male subjects to determine whether IHH can lead to alterations in somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) and brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs). We have also investigated the effect of gonadotropin replacement (hCG/hMG) therapy on these tests in 20 randomly selected patients. Significant cervical 7 (N13), Erb (N9) and thoracic 12 (N22) latency prolongation was observed in median and tibial nerve SSEPs in patients with IHH as compared with a matched control group. Other components of SSEPs and interpeak latencies of BAEPs yielded no significant difference between untreated patients and control group. Abnormal components of SSEPs did not correlate with basal hormone levels and did not improve with gonadotropin therapy. We conclude that IHH results abnormalities in peripheral but not central nervous system components of SSEPs and that short term gonadotropin treatment cannot correct these abnormalities.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Whitcomb R.W., Crowley W.F. Jr. Clinical review 4: Diagnosis and treatment of isolated gonadotropin-releasing hormone deficiency in men. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 70: 3, 1990.
Crowley W.F. Jr., Jameson J.R. Clinical counterpoint: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone deficiency: perspectives from clinical investigation. Endocr. Rev. 13: 635, 1992.
Schwankhaus J.D., Currie J., Jaffe M.S., Rose S.R., Sherins R.J. Neurologic findings in men with isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Neurology 39: 223, 1989.
Danek A., Heye B., Schroedler R. Cortically evoked motor responses in patients with Xp22.3-linked Kallmann’s syndrome and in female gene carriers. Ann. Neurol. 31: 299, 1992.
Hardelin J.P., Levilliers J., Young J. Xp 22-3 deletions in isolated familial Kallmann’s syndrome. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 76: 827, 1993.
Hummel T., Pietsch H., Kobal G. Kallmann’s syndrome and chemosensory evoked potentials. Eur. Arch. Otorhinolaryngol. 248: 311, 1991.
Matfin G., Quinton R., Macgillivray B., White S., Bouloux P.-M.G. Electrophysiological responses in isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, and Kallmann’s syndrome. 76th Annual Meeting of the Endocrine Society, June 15–18, Anaheim, CA (abstract no. 1599), 1994.
Greulich W.W., Pyle S.I. Radiographic atlas of skeletal development of the hand and wrist. Stanford, Stanford University press, 1950.
Littrup P.J., Williams C.R., Egglin T.K., Kane R.A. Determination of prostate volume with transrectal US for cancer screening. Radiology 179: 49, 1991.
Terris M.K., McNeal S.E., Stamey T.A. Estimation of prostate cancer volume by transrectal ultrasound imaging. J. Urol. 147: 855, 1992.
Nuwer M.R., Aminoff M., Desmedt J. IFCN recommended standards for short latency somatosensory evoked potentials. Report of an IFCN committee. Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology 91: 6, 1994.
Hume A.L, Cant B.R. Conduction time in central somatosensory pathways in man. Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology 45: 361, 1978.
Nuwer M.R., Aminoff M., Goodin D. IFCN recommended standards for brainstem auditory evoked potentials. Report of an IFCN committee. Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology 91: 12, 1994.
Hier D.B., Crowley W.F. Jr. Spatial ability in androgen -deficient men. N. Engl. J. Med. 306: 1202, 1982.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ozata, M., Ozkardes, A., Bulur, M. et al. Central and peripheral neural responses in males with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. J Endocrinol Invest 19, 449–454 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03349890
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03349890