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Hormonal and seminal evaluation of Leydig cell tumour patients before and after orchiectomy
Author(s) -
Zarrilli S.,
Lombardi G.,
Paesano L.,
Di Somma C.,
Colao A.,
Mirone V.,
De Rosa M.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
andrologia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.633
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1439-0272
pISSN - 0303-4569
DOI - 10.1046/j.1439-0272.2000.00356.x
Subject(s) - testosterone (patch) , luteinizing hormone , medicine , endocrinology , leydig cell , follicle stimulating hormone , hormone , prolactin , spermatogenesis , androstenedione , human chorionic gonadotropin , orchiectomy , androgen
Seven patients (aged 25–38 years) were admitted because of mono‐ or bilateral gynaecomastia. Plasma levels of follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin, testosterone, 17‐β‐estradiol, Δ 4 ‐androstenedione, dehydropiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA‐S) and 17‐OH‐progesterone were determined and semen analysis was carried out. FSH and LH levels were also measured after acute LH‐RH administration (100 μg intravenously), and testosterone and 17‐β‐estradiol were also evaluated after acute human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) administration (5000 IU intramuscularly). Testicular echography demonstrated the presence of a solid hypoechoic tumour. Therefore all patients were submitted to hemicastration by orchidofuniculotomy and a benign Leydig cell tumour was diagnosed in the removed testes. Hormonal and semen evaluations were repeated 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after surgery. The data before and after surgery were compared with a control group of 10 age‐matched males. Before surgery, patients showed low FSH basal plasma levels; high levels of 17‐β‐estradiol and low testosterone levels similar to those after hCG administration. A dyspermia was observed. Unilateral orchidectomy eliminated the autonomous secretion of oestrogen(s) so an increase of LH, FSH and testosterone levels, together with an improvement of spermatogenesis, were obtained.