Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism

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Endocrine glands

Pituitary hormones

The pituitary gland

Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism describes absent or decreased function of the gonads -- the male testes or the female ovaries. It results from the absence of the gonadal stimulating pituitary hormones FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone).

Gonadotropin deficiency; Kallmann syndrome; Secondary hypogonadism

An area of the brain called the hypothalamus secretes gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which stimulate the pituitary gland. In response to this hormone, the pituitary gland (located near the hypothalamus) secretes other hormones (FSH and LH).

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These hormones, in turn, stimulate the ovaries (female) and testes (male) to secrete hormones that are responsible for normal sexual development in puberty. Any disruption in this chain reaction causes a deficiency of the sex hormones and halts normal sexual maturation.

Failure of the hypothalamus is most commonly a result of Kallmann syndrome. Kallmann syndrome is an inherited disorder that usually includes a disorder of the sense of smell. Failure of the pituitary may result from empty sella syndrome, pituitary tumors (craniopharyngioma), head injuries, or other causes.

Review Date: 01/18/2006
Reviewed By: Nikheel S. Kolatkar, MD, Clinical and Research Fellow, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.