Pituitary testicular hormonal axis was studied in fifteen male patients with chronic renal
failure and treated with regular hemodialysis, their ages ranged from 27 to 45 years; and in
another ten male renal transplant recipients, they were studied 9-18 months after successful
renal transplantation, their ages ranged from 27 to 47 years. Ten healthy adult males were
chosen as control group, their ages ranged from 25 to 48 years. Assessment of follicle
stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinzing hormone (LH), prolactin and testosterone levels in
serum was done to all the studied groups. Also testosterone suppression test to luteinizing
hormone was also done in a random group of dialyzed patients (7 patients). And we got the
following results: (I) In the dialyzed group serum FSH, LH and prolactin levels were
significantly increased (P < 0.001 to all) when compared to the normal control group, while
serum testosterone level was significantly decreased (P < 0.001). (2) The testosterone
suppression test in dialyzed group showed integrity of the pituitary-testicular hormonal axis in
these patients. (3) In renal transplant group serum FSH, prolactin and testosterone levels were
non significantly changed (P> 0.05 to all) when compared to the normal control group, while
serum LH level was significantly decreased (P<0.001).
From this study we can conclude the following:
- In patients with CRF and undergoing regular hemodialysis, although there are some
derangements in the levels of the hormones of the pituitary-testicular axis, this axis is still
intact in these patients.
- Successful renal transplantation can correct the hormonal pattern of the pituitary-testicular
axis nearer to the normal. |
