Short-term effects of treatment with simvastatin on testicular function in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia.
The effects of simvastatin 40 mg per day for 14 weeks on the pituitary-testis axis of 19 men with familial hypercholesterolaemia have been examined in a single-blind study. Simvastatin significantly reduced serum low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides by 45% and 30%, respectively, and significantly increased high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol by 15%. The alterations, which were stable 4 weeks after the start of treatment, were not associated with any significant change in sperm quality, the seminal plasma concentrations of various sex gland products (prostate-specific acid phosphatase, polyamines, citrate, fructose, alpha-glucosidase), or the serum concentrations of cortisol, testosterone, LH, FSH, or prolactin. It is concluded that a short-term reduction in circulating LDL-cholesterol has no marked effect on testicular function or sperm quality.
Purvis
K
K
Andrology Laboratory, National Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Tollefsrud
A
A
Rui
H
H
Haug
E
E
Norseth
J
J
Viksmoen
L
L
Ose
L
L
Lund
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006579:Heterozygote; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006938:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019821:Simvastatin; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D006728:Hormones; D008148:Lovastatin; D019821:Simvastatin