Abstract
Testicular function was studied in 3 adult patients, 1 pubertal stage II, and 6 prepubertal with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, in remission after 4-6 years of treatment with chemotherapy, cranial irradiation and intrathecal methotrexate. Serum levels of: testosterone in adult patients X = 631ng/100ml (570-707), prepuberal, X = 24 (11-32);LH in adult patients X = 39ng/ml LER 907 (18-70), prepuberal X=19 (12-25); FSH in adult patients X = 157ng/ml LER 907 (70-240), prepuberal X = 68(12-120) were normal except plasma FSH of 1 adult patient which was high (240). In the prepuberal patients there was a normal response to HCG and to LH-RH Testicular histology showed sclero-hyalinosis and/or hypoespermatogenesis in 1 puberal and 2 adult patients and leukemic infiltration in 1 azoospermic adult.Sperm count was normal in the other 2. In 3 out of 4 prepuberal patients, unexpectedly early signs of sperm maturation without tisular damage were observed. Our data suggest that the mature testis is more labile to damage by treatment and spermatogenesis in the inmature testis is stimulated by an undetermined mechanism.
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Titania, P., Cecilia, S., Sackmann, F. et al. 45 TESTICULAR FUNCTION IN LEUKEMIC PATIENTS AFTER CHRONIC TREATMENT WITH CYTOSTATIC DRUGS. Pediatr Res 15, 190 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198102000-00102
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198102000-00102
