The Effect of Clomiphene Citrate in Anosmic Hypogonadotrophism

A patient with anosmic hypogonadotrophism was treated with clomiphene citrate for 32 days. During the treatment period plasma follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured daily for 6 days and again at the end of 32 days. A definite increase in the concentration of plasma LH and FSH was shown at the end of the treatment period. This response was equivocal at the end of the first week of therapy. It appears that this patient is capable of synthesizing and releasing LH and FSH after treatment with clomiphene citrate. This response places the defect responsible for his hypogonadotrophic state above the level of the pituitary. It also suggests that long-term clomiphene citrate therapy may be capable of stimulating puberty in this patient as well as others with hypogonadotrophic states in whom clomiphene responsiveness is documented.