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Sex steroids and sex‐hormone binding globulin in males with chronic alcoholism
Author(s) -
LINDHOLM J.,
FABRICIUSBJERRE N.,
BAHNSEN M.,
BOIESEN P.,
HAGEN C.,
CHRISTENSEN T.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
european journal of clinical investigation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.164
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1365-2362
pISSN - 0014-2972
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2362.1978.tb00841.x
Subject(s) - sex hormone binding globulin , medicine , endocrinology , testosterone (patch) , hormone , dihydrotestosterone , cirrhosis , globulin , germinal epithelium , androgen , spermatogenesis
. Thirty men with chronic alcoholism were studied. Biopsies of the liver and testis were performed in all. Serum concentrations of total and non‐protein bound (free) testosterone and oestradiol, dlhydrotesto‐sterone and sex‐hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were determined. Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone concentrations were normal in most patients, whereas oestradiol and free oestradiol were above normal in approximately 50% of the patients. None of the hormones measured differed significantly between patients with and without cirrhosis. SGBG was significantly higher in men with severely reduced spermatogenesis compared to those with intact germinal epithelium, but there was no difference between men with and without cirrhosis. No relation could be demonstrated between clinical signs of hypogonadism and any of the hormones measured. The results support the view that hormonal and sexual disturbances may occur in chronic alcoholism independent of the presence of liver disease.