Gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists

*Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists are synthetic analogs of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, which is produced by the hypothalamus and controls the secretion of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) by the anterior pituitary. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists bind to gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors and decrease the effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone.

In men, gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists inhibit the release of luteinizing hormone, and consequently less testosterone is produced. Testosterone stimulates the growth of many forms of prostate cancer. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists are used to treat prostate cancer as by reducing the levels of testosterone the size of prostate cancer is reduced.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists are used to treat women undergoing fertility treatment. It prevents early release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and premature ovulation in women being administered follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) when preparing for in-vitro fertilization.