Effects of Experimental Hyperprolactinemia and Clomiphene on Pituitary Responsiveness to LHRH and TRH in Men

The effect of clomiphene citrate during sulpiride-induced hyperprolactinemia on pituitary function was tested in 8 healthy men, who ingested 100 mg of clomiphene, 150 mg of sulpiride or 100 mg of clomiphene + 150 mg of sulpiride daily for 7 days. Clomiphene treatment increased FSH and LH plasma concentrations and this increase was unaffected by sulpiride-induced hyperprolactinemia. Sulpiride intake alone did not alter serum gonadotropin concentrations. A reduced LH response to LHRH during sulpiride intake was seen, whereas the FSH response was unchanged. The prolactin response to TRH was unaffected during the combined sulpiride + clomiphene ingestion. Sulpiride treatment did not change the basal and/or clomiphene-stimulated gonadotropin secretion in healthy men. Thus, oligozoospermic men using psychotropic drugs and/or with hyperprolactinemia may be suitable candidates for clomiphene treatment.