| Abstract: | As the potential clinical applications of LHRH agonists increase, the issue of side effects on nonreproductive organ systems assumes greater significance. LHRH agonists administered continuously or in twice-daily injections accelerated body weight gain in female rats. Two different LHRH agonists produced similar effects on body weight in female rats. When Leuprolide (LHRHa) was given to female rats in twice-daily injections, the adrenal weight increased after 21 days of treatment, whereas administration by osmotic minipumps produced no significant effect on adrenal weight. When another agonist, Zoladex (LHRHz), was given continuously for 52 and 229 days to female rats, the adrenal weight decreased. No change was noted in adrenal weight or body-weight gain of male rats given LHRHz continuously for 51 and 62 days. Reproductive-organ weights were significantly reduced in all LHRH-agonist-treated animals. Serum progesterone in female rats and testosterone in male rats were significantly decreased following treatment with LHRHz. No significant differences were noted in serum prolactin, growth hormone, or corticosterone. The mechanisms and significance of these findings are discussed. |
