Many bodybuilders undergo rigorous training routines to achieve their desired muscle mass gains.
But maintaining balanced hormone levels, especially sex hormones, is equally crucial if not more important.
For instance, testosterone is the key sex hormone in men that plays a vital role in regulating libido, muscle mass, bone mass, fat loss, and strength.
Imbalances in testosterone, estrogen, and other hormones can lead to problems such as infertility and inhibited muscle gain.
Fortunately, peptides like Gonadorelin may help maintain healthy testosterone levels.
Originally used to treat infertility in both men and women, it has now gained popularity among bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts for its ability to enhance their performance and accelerate overall physique development
In this article, we’ll talk about Gonadorelin’s bodybuilding benefits and its recommended dosages to help you decide if this peptide is the right choice for you.
What is Gonadorelin?
Gonadorelin, also known as gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), is a peptide produced in the hypothalamus.
It helps regulate reproductive function, primarily the production of the sex hormones testosterone in men and estrogen in women.
Additionally, Gonadorelin can enhance libido, sperm production, and sperm volume.
From the benefits described above, it’s clear why Gonadorelin has become a peptide for bodybuilders to gain lean muscle while optimizing their physical performance at the same time.
How Does Gonadorelin Work?
Gonadorelin works by stimulating the pituitary gland to produce and secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).
In men, both hormones help boost sperm and testosterone production in the testes.
This why Gonadorelin can sometimes be used along with testosterone replacement therapy to reduce the risk of testicular atrophy (i.e. shrinking of the testicles).
Benefits of Gonadorelin for Bodybuilding
In the ongoing debate about the benefits and risks of peptides versus steroids, Gonadorelin often comes up as a promising option for bodybuilders.
Since it kickstarts your body to pump out more of its naturally-produced luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Gonadorelin offers some serious perks for athletic performance and muscle growth.
Stimulates LH and FSH Production
Both luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulate the gonads which is important for both male and female reproduction.
A preclinical study published in the Canadian Veterinary Journal revealed that Holstein cows given gonadorelin had boosted LH and FSH production and release.
On the other hand, a deficiency reduces both hormones’ production and leads to the delay or absence of puberty in children:
“In experiment 1, nonlactating Holstein cows (n = 4 per group) were randomly assigned to receive 100 μg gonadorelin diacetate tetrahydrate, intramuscularly (C; Cystorelin, or FE; Fertagyl).
Blood samples (for LH analysis) were collected 0, 1, 2, and 4 hours after treatment. In experiment 2, nonlactating Holstein cows (n = 10 per group) were randomly allocated to receive 100 μg gonadorelin, intramuscularly as follows: 2 mL of C; 1 mL of FE; or 2 mL of Factrel (FA, gonadorelin hydrochloride).
Gonadorelin treatment was done on days 6 or 7 after ovulation and blood samples for LH analysis were collected at 0, 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours after treatment.
Ovaries were examined by ultrasonography, twice daily, to detect ovulation. A replicate was conducted using only C (n = 10) or FE (n = 10); blood samples were collected at 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours. In experiment 3, beef heifers (n = 10 per group) were randomly assigned to receive 1 of 3 GnRH gonadorelin treatments (as in the first phase of experiment 2) on days 6 or 7 after ovulation and blood samples were collected at 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 4 hours.
In experiments 2 and 3, both mean and mean peak plasma LH concentrations were higher (P < 0.05) in cattle treated with C. The proportion of dominant follicles that ovulated was higher (P < 0.02) in Holstein cows treated with C than in those treated with FE or FA (18/19, 11/19, and 4/7, respectively), but there was no significant difference among the products in beef heifers (6/10, 6/10, and 4/10, respectively).
No significant differences were found in the interval from treatment to the emergence of the next follicular wave.
In summary, C induced a greater LH release and this resulted in a higher ovulatory rate in Holstein cows but not in beef heifers.”
Increases Testosterone Levels
As we all know, testosterone is critical in regulating numerous bodily functions: Sex drive, body fat distribution, muscle mass development, and red blood cell production.
Fortunately, Gonadorelin has shown promise as a testosterone-boosting peptide.
In a study in the Fertility and Sterility Journal, men with steroid-induced azoospermia regained sperm production after 3 months of gonadorelin use.
“A married couple with primary subfertility secondary to azoospermia and male hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.
The husband was a bodybuilder who admitted to having used the anabolic steroids testosterone cypionate, methandrostenolone, oxandrolone, testosterone propionate, oxymetholone, nandrolone decanoate, and methenolone enanthate.
Twice-weekly injections of 10,000 IU of hCG (Profasi; Serono) and daily injections of 75 IU of hMG (Humegon; Organon) for 3 months.
Semen analyses returned to normal after 3 months of treatment. The couple conceived spontaneously 7 months later.”
Aids in Muscle Development and Strength
The use of Gonadorelin for elevating testosterone levels consequently leads to increased protein synthesis, thereby promoting muscle hypertrophy and strength.
In fact, older men who took Gonadorelin gained both muscle mass and strength at similar levels compared to young men, as evidenced in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism:
“In healthy older men, the increase in testosterone caused by gonadorelin administration induced muscle improvements.
Although testosterone levels and muscle mass decline with age, many older men have serum testosterone levels in the normal range, leading to speculation about whether older men are less sensitive to testosterone.
We determined the responsiveness of androgen-dependent outcomes to graded testosterone doses in older men and compared it to that in young men.
The participants in this randomized, double-blind trial were 60 ambulatory, healthy, older men, 60–75 yr of age, with normal serum testosterone levels.
Their responses to graded doses of testosterone were compared with previous data in 61 men, 19–35 yr old.
The participants received a long-acting GnRH agonist to suppress endogenous testosterone production and 25, 50, 125, 300, or 600 mg testosterone enanthate weekly for 20 wk. Fat-free mass, fat mass, muscle strength, sexual function, mood, visuospatial cognition, hormone levels, and safety measures were evaluated before, during, and after treatment. Of 60 older men who were randomized, 52 completed the study.
After adjusting for testosterone dose, changes in serum total testosterone (change, −6.8, −1.9, +16.1, +49.5, and +101.9 nmol/liter at 25, 50, 125, 300, and 600 mg/wk, respectively) and hemoglobin (change, −3.6, +9.9, +20.9, +12.6, and +29.4 g/liter at 25, 50, 125, 300, and 600 mg/wk, respectively) levels were dose-related in older men and significantly greater in older men than young men (each P < 0.0001).
The changes in FFM (−0.3, +1.7, +4.2, +5.6, and +7.3 kg, respectively, in five ascending dose groups) and muscle strength in older men were correlated with testosterone dose and concentrations and were not significantly different in young and older men.
Changes in fat mass correlated inversely with testosterone dose (r = −0.54; P < 0.001) and were significantly different in young vs. older men (P < 0.0001); young men receiving 25- and 50-mg doses gained more fat mass than older men (P < 0.0001).
Mood and visuospatial cognition did not change significantly in either group.
Frequency of hematocrit greater than 54%, leg edema, and prostate events were numerically higher in older men than in young men. Older men are as responsive as young men to testosterone’s anabolic effects; however, older men have lower testosterone clearance rates, higher increments in hemoglobin, and a higher frequency of adverse effects.
Although substantial gains in muscle mass and strength can be realized in older men with supraphysiological testosterone doses, these high doses are associated with a high frequency of adverse effects.
The best trade-off was achieved with a testosterone dose (125 mg) that was associated with high normal testosterone levels, low frequency of adverse events, and significant gains in fat-free mass and muscle strength.”
Accelerates Muscle Recovery
Another benefit of Gonadorelin’s testosterone-increasing properties is faster recovery from intense workouts.
And due to the increase in muscle protein synthesis, the risk of injury and overtraining are minimized.
This means less downtime between workouts, so you can return even faster to training via positive muscular failure.
This has been shown in a study in the Journal of Applied Physiology, where men who were given testosterone had increased muscle protein synthesis, resulting in a boost in muscle mass:
“We have studied the effect of a pharmacological dose of testosterone enanthate (3 mg.kg-1.wk-1 for 12 wk) on muscle mass and total-body potassium and on whole-body and muscle protein synthesis in normal male subjects.
Muscle mass estimated by creatinine excretion increased in all nine subjects (20% mean increase, P less than 0.02); total body potassium mass estimated by 40K counting increased in all subjects (12% mean increase, P less than 0.0001).
In four subjects, a primed continuous infusion protocol with L-[1-13C]leucine was used to determine whole-body leucine flux and oxidation.
Whole-body protein synthesis was estimated from nonoxidative flux. Muscle protein synthesis rate was determined by measuring [13C]leucine incorporation into muscle samples obtained by needle biopsy.
Testosterone increased muscle protein synthesis in all subjects (27% mean increase, P less than 0.05).
Leucine oxidation decreased slightly (17% mean decrease, P less than 0.01), but whole-body protein synthesis did not change significantly.
Muscle morphometry showed no significant increase in muscle fiber diameter. These studies suggest that testosterone increases muscle mass by increasing muscle protein synthesis.”
May Improve Libido and Fertility
In addition to all of the benefits described above, Gonadorelin can induce spermatogenesis and this leads to a significant boost in both libido and fertility.
In a study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology, men with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism treated with long-term pulsatile GnRH experienced induced testicular growth and increased sperm production:
“The group of patients comprised 17 individuals with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, 11 with Kallmann’s syndrome, four with multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies, and six with a secondary hypogonadotropic hypogonadism due to surgical removal of a brain tumor.
Thirteen patients (seven with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and six with Kallmann’s syndrome) had undescended testes, of whom six had undergone surgery on both testes and four on one testis.
Sixteen of the 17 had previously received androgen therapy and six others had received gonadotrophin treatment, of whom three had long-term treatment to induce testicular development, without success.
GnRH was administered intravenously in a dose of 2-20 micrograms per pulse every 90 minutes. After GnRH discontinuation, hCG treatment was instituted, 1500-3000 IU (i.m.) twice weekly.
During treatment plasma levels of LH, FSH, and testosterone increased.
In 35 out of the 38 patients plasma testosterone levels increased into the normal adult range. In all patients testicular volume increased.
Mean pretreatment testicular volume per patient group ranged from 2.4 to 4.8 ml and increased to 11.5-18.1 ml by the end of treatment.
There was a significant difference in the achieved testicular volumes between the patients with Kallmann’s syndrome and the brain tumour patients. GnRH treatment mean lasted between 46 and 75 weeks in the different groups.
On hCG therapy, testicular development was either maintained or improved.
Semen analysis revealed the presence of spermatogenesis in 31 out of the 38 patients (26 patients already on GnRH, and in another five patients on hCG therapy).
All three patients pretreated with gonadotrophins as well as three patients with bilateral testicular surgery developed a detectable sperm count.
In 19 adolescent patients with growth potential, an adequate height velocity was observed during GnRH treatment.”
Another study in the American Journal of Men’s Health showed that the pulsatile gonadorelin pump (PGP) resulted in earlier spermatogenesis than cyclical gonadorelin therapy (CGT) in males.
PGP induced sperm production in 90% of the test subjects, compared to only 83% in the CGT group:
“Twenty-eight azoospermic CHH males were included in this nonrandomized study.
Ten received PGP and 18 received CGT. The primary endpoint was the earliest time spermatogenesis occurred during 24 months of treatment. Spermatogenesis time was significant earlier in the PGP group than the CGT group (median of 6 and 14 months, respectively, χ2 = 6.711, p = .01). Spermatogenesis occurred in 90% of the PGP group and 83.3% of the CGT group and showed statistically insignificant difference in the superiority analysis and the no-inferior test.
Contributing factors significant for spermatogenesis were previous HCG/or testosterone treatment and the peak serum luteinizing hormone level of triptorelin stimulation test at baseline.
Although testis volume and penile length increased significantly from baseline, the differences between the two therapies were not significant.
There was a tendency for high serum testosterone level, associated with more facial acne and breast tenderness in the CGT group. Skin allergic erythema scleroma was a common side effect of the PGP.
In summary, PGP resulted in earlier spermatogenesis and more desirable testosterone levels than CGT.”
Potential Erythropoiesis Benefits
Erythropoietin is a hormone produced in the kidneys that helps stimulate red blood cell production and maintenance.
Red blood cells deliver oxygen to the tissues in your body, while releasing carbon dioxide to the lungs for you to exhale.
The oxygen turns into energy, which is important for bodybuilders, athletes, and men who want to perform at their absolute best.
In one study, men who were given gonadorelin had boosted erythropoietin production, leading to the promotion of testosterone secretion, growth hormone production, and stimulation of many other hormones (prolactin, adrenocorticosteroids, thyroid):
“Neurohumoral stimuli resulted in the release of erythropoietin.
We recently noted that the number of peripheral reticulocytes increased up to 42% after transnasal administration of 5 mg of gonadorelin acetate and gradually decreased to normal levels (10%) by the end of the next two weeks.
Circulating RBC counts increased as well.
Four other volunteers were then tested in the same way, and serum erythropoietin levels were measured using a commercial kit.
Serum erythropoietin levels increased considerably in three of five tested subjects (Table).
Sternalgia was noted in these subjects 30 minutes after gonadorelin inhalation and continued for one week.
Our results suggest that gonadorelin may be a potent stimulator for secretion of erythropoietin and may influence erythropoiesis.
The regulation of erythropoietin release is influenced by several hormones, such as testosterone, adrenocorticoids, prolactin, growth hormone, and thyroid hormone.”
Gonadorelin Dosage for Bodybuilders
The best Gonadorelin dosage for bodybuilders is highly specific to one’s goals and their ability to tolerate the effects of the peptide.
For people seeking gains in skeletal muscle mass, a common dosage is anywhere from 100-300 micrograms (daily) taken all at once or split into smaller doses throughout the day.
This is usually done over a 4-8 week “on” cycle, and then discontinued to prevent antibody build up.
Bodybuilders often use gonadorelin in cycles.
Gonadorelin can be injected under the skin (subcutaneously) with an insulin syringe.
Potential Side Effects of Gonadorelin Treatment
Most patients tolerate Gonadorelin fairly well, but as with any substance injected exogenously into the body there are always possible side effects.
These are usually mild and may include headaches, nausea, or mild abdominal pain.
Some people may also experience redness, bruising, or mild irritation at the injection site.
As long as you use the correct dosage and administration instructions I just provided, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.
But should you have any concerns or experience severe side effects, it’s always best to consult with a physician.
Addressing Underlying Causes of Low Testosterone Before Resorting to Gonadorelin
There are two reasons why some men have problems with low testosterone: primary male hypogonadism and secondary male hypogonadism.
Primary male hypogonadism
Primary male hypogonadism occurs when something interferes with the testicles’ ability to produce normal levels of testosterone.
This condition, also known as hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, is characterized by increased production of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the pituitary gland in response to low testosterone levels.
The elevated levels of these hormones are typically signals for the testicles to produce more testosterone and sperm.
However, if the testicles are damaged or absent (often due to factors such as prior chemotherapy) they cannot respond to these signals and this leads to insufficient/absent testosterone and sperm production.
In some cases of primary hypogonadism, testosterone levels may still fall within the “normal range” despite high Gonadotropin levels.
Secondary male hypogonadism
Secondary male hypogonadism arises from conditions that impact the functioning of the hypothalamus and/or pituitary gland.
This form of hypogonadism is characterized by low levels of LH and FSH, resulting in reduced testosterone and sperm production.
Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) is a specific type of secondary hypogonadism that occurs naturally with aging.
As individuals get older, there is a decline in the function of both the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and Leydig cells, leading to decreased testosterone and sperm production.
LOH and low testosterone levels are more prevalent in individuals who have type 2 diabetes and/or are overweight/obese.
By understanding these two root causes of testosterone issues, it’s possible to come up with an effective and targeted treatment to help regain normal testosterone levels.
Can You Use Gonadorelin on TRT/Testosterone Optimization Therapy?
While TRT is highly beneficial for outcomes such as muscle growth, mood, and libido, it doesn’t kick-start your testicles to produce testosterone.
When your body receives testosterone from an outside source, it senses this and responds by lowering its production of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
These hormones tell your testicles to produce testosterone and sperm (otherwise your testicles can shrink and the end result is testicular atrophy).
Gonadorelin, on the other hand, tells your pituitary gland to release LH and FSH, which helps maintain testicular function and testosterone production.
Combining TRT with gonadorelin is like covering all your bases: While TRT ensures you have enough testosterone, gonadorelin helps your testicles function optimally.
Therefore, if you want to prevent further testicular shrinkage while maintaining their functional integrity, using gonadorelin while on TRT can help.
Jay’s Closing Thoughts
I personally do not touch or recommend Gonadorelin and will always opt for hCG (a.k.a. human chorionic gonadotropin) when it comes to maintaining fertility in men who are on TRT.
Please read my deep-dive article on hCG for everything you could desire to know about this compound.
And to specifically learn more about why I believe it is superior to Gonadorelin, this article putting hCG versus Gonadorelin will set you in the right direction.
Key Takeaways: Should You Consider Gonadorelin?
Gonadorelin is a useful peptide for bodybuilders who desire to enhance their muscle mass, strength gains, recovery speed, and body composition.
Combined with a well-rounded diet, an appropriate training routine, and sufficient rest, you’ll achieve the gains you’ve been aiming for in no time.
Your body’s response to Gonadorelin may be different from others, so closely monitor your progress and adjust your dosage with the help of an experiential-based progressive physician where necessary.
As with any peptide you put into your body, make sure it is procured from a trusted and reputable source.
In our case, it’s Limitless Life Nootropics because they are the biohacking industry’s only reliable source for 3rd-party tested products.
They have some of the best formulations of testosterone-enhancing peptides on the market, even though they currently do not stock Gonadorelin.
And don’t forget they offer the BEST deals on both price and peptide purity.
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