Testicular function after combination chemotherapy for Hodgkin's disease.
Fertility was estimated by sperm counts and hormone assays in 8 patients treated for Hodgkin's disease with at least 6 courses of combination chemotherapy. This consisted of an alkylator (mechloretamine or cyclophosphamide), a vinca alkaloid (vinblastine or vincristine), procarbazine and prednisone. Azoospermia was found in 7 of the 8 patients on examination 12-29 months after termination of chemotherapy. In 1 patient semen quality improved gradually, and a sperm count of 5 mill/ml was found at 21 months. Serum FSH levels were increased in all but 1 patient who was, nevertheless, azoospermic. The levels of testosterone and LH were generally within normal limits. Thus, the germinal tissue is seriously damaged by this type of chemotherapy. The resulting infertility seems to be complete and of long duration. Partial recovery of spermatogenesis may, however, sometimes take place after prolonged unsustained remission.
D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002452:Cell Count; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008466:Mechlorethamine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014750:Vincristine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D013739:Testosterone; D008466:Mechlorethamine; D014750:Vincristine; D014747:Vinblastine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone