Gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists

What are 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.

Antagon® (ganirelix acetate) and Cetrotide® (cetrorelix) are GnRH antagonists (hormonal drugs) which are currently approved for enhancing response to ovulation inducing drugs, and specifically to prevent premature ovulation. GnRH antagonists have not been shown to cause major side effects in humans so far.