Reversal of idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in a Chinese male cohort

Idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) is a rare genetically heterogeneous disease and characterized by incomplete or absent puberty and infertility. It is worth noting that partial IHH patients could recover reproductive endocrine function following treatment, which is termed reversal. This study aimed to investigate clinical and genetic characteristics of IHH reversal patients. A total of 141 IHH male patients were enrolled and followed up regularly. Their clinical and genetic features were collected and analysed to discover something in common in reversal cases. These IHH patients with a median age of 21 years (interquartile range: 18-24) were divided into reversal group (n = 13) and non-reversal group (n = 128). IL17RD, ERBB4, DLX5, EGFR, SEMA4D, B3GNT1 and CCKAR RSVs were demonstrated in reversal cases for the first time. Pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) RSVs consisted of 3 RSVs (one each patient, including PROKR2 p.W178S, EGFR p.G630R and CCKAR p.S291del) in reversal group. Reversal of IHH could not be ignored in clinical follow-up. Patients with high levels of basal LH and T may harbour more possibility of reversal and worthy extra attention to identify whether reversal occurs or not. Relapse after reversal also needs to be monitored.