For many years now, our understanding of the somatotrophic and reproduc tive axes has evolved essentially independently, both fields of study reaching a highly advanced, although far from complete, level of under standing. Along the way, however, it became apparent that in some circumstances the reproductive and somatotrophic axes may be inter dependent. Inklings to this effect were at times feeble and at other times more convincing. Among those inklings are the clinical recognition by pediatric endocrinologists of the apparent association between isolated GH deficiency and delayed puberty,...