OBJECTIVETo investigate the diagnosis and treatment of male Kallmann syndrome.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 12 cases of male Kallmann syndrome, 3 treated for male sterility and the other 9 for secondary sex characteristics dysplasia and external genitalia developmental anomalies, all by combined replacement therapy with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), human menopause gonadotropin (hMG) and testosterone undecanoate for 6 months to 3 years. We compared the secondary sexual development and serum sex hormone levels of the patients before and after treatment.

RESULTSAfter 9 months of treatment, all the 12 patients showed significant improvement in the penile length, testicular volume and sex hormone levels (P < 0.01), with different degrees of promotion of the secondary sexual development. Three married cases could have normal sexual intercourse, and one of them achieved normal pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONThe clinical characteristics of Kallmann syndrome include lack of gonadotropins, lower gonad function and loss or reduction of olfactory sensation. Replacement therapy with hCG, hMG and androgens is an effective treatment method. However, no effective therapy is now available for olfactory dysfunction. Early diagnosis and hormone replacement therapy can best alleviate its clinical symptoms and eventually achieve fertility.