luteinizing hormone–releasing hormone
1. a decapeptide hormone elaborated by the median eminence of the hypothalamus that binds to specific receptor sites on gonadotrophs of the adenohypophysis and stimulates the release of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. High levels continuously maintained desensitize gonadotrophs and terminate gonadotropin release. Long-acting analogs are used to inhibit gonadal steroid secretion in individuals with prostate cancer and some other hormone-responsive cancers. Called also follicle-stimulating hormone–releasing h., gonadotropin-releasing h., gonadoliberin, and luliberin. 2. a preparation of the acetate and hydrochloride salts of this hormone obtained from the brains of certain food animals, used in the differential diagnosis of hypothalamic, pituitary, and gonadal dysfunction and sometimes in treatment of types of male or female infertility or hypogonadism.
Medical dictionary.
2011.