Biologically ineffective gonadotropin secretion: two cases.

Symptoms of gonadal insufficiency, in the presence of high serum levels of gonadotropins, generally indicate primary gonadal failure. An exception to this generalization is the secretion of ineffective gonadotropic hormone secretion by the pituitary. One such case was reported in 1979. However rare it may be, this disorder should still be taken into consideration when evaluating hypogonadal patients. In fact, it may not be so rare as it is supposed. In this report, two such cases are presented. They both show signs of gonadal insufficiency in the presence of high serum gonadotropin concentrations, but responding normally to exogenously administered chorionic gonadotropin.