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Androgenic status in patients with lepromatous leprosy
Author(s) -
SAPORTA L.,
YUKSEL A.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
british journal of urology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1464-410X
pISSN - 0007-1331
DOI - 10.1111/j.1464-410x.1994.tb16590.x
Subject(s) - azoospermia , medicine , oligospermia , testosterone (patch) , luteinizing hormone , follicle stimulating hormone , infertility , hormone , testicular atrophy , incidence (geometry) , basal (medicine) , physiology , male infertility , gynecology , urology , biology , pregnancy , genetics , insulin , optics , physics
Objective To assess the incidence of testicular atrophy by evaluation of hormonal status, testicular histology and sperm production in chronic lepromatous patients. Patients and methods Forty‐one male patients with a mean age of 39.5 years (range 16–57) were studied at the Leprosy Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey, and were compared with 15 age‐matched controls with proven fertility. Results Reduced testicular size was observed in 51% and gynaecomastia in 27%. Of the 31 patients who were married, 15 were primarily or secondarily infertile. Twelve of 16 patients had oligospermia or azoospermia. The mean basal luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and oestradiol levels were significantly elevated and the level of testosterone significantly reduced when compared with the control group. Conclusion Whenever leprosy is diagnosed patients should be informed of the need for treatment of an acute attack and the need for routine assessment of FSH, LH, testosterone and oestradiol levels to detect hypogonadism and potential infertility.