Oxandrolone induces a sustained rise in physiological growth hormone secretion in boys with constitutional delay of growth and puberty.

We describe the treatment of 3 boys, mean age 14.9 years (range 13.8-16.1 years) with constitutional delay of growth and puberty using oxandrolone in two dose regimens, 2.5 or 1.25 mg/day for 3 months. Treatment induced an increase in mean height velocity from 5.1 to 8.5 cm/year; this was sustained at 8.8 cm/year in the period following treatment. Growth hormone (GH), luteinising hormone and testosterone secretion were assessed by overnight or 24-hour venous sampling at 15-min intervals before, during treatment and after cessation of treatment. A computer programme was used to analyse GH secretory dynamics. The 3 boys had a mean sustained increase in total GH secretion of 190%. The increase in GH secretion was associated with an increase in amplitude of GH pulses rather than an alteration in pulse frequency.