Testicular steroids in spermatic and peripheral veins after single injection of hCG in patients with varicocele.
To determine the function of Leydig cells in patients with varicocele, hCG-stimulated levels of progesterone (Prog), 17 alpha-Hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione (17OHP), 4-Androstene-3,17-dione (A-dione), testosterone (T), and estradiol-17 beta (E2) in both spermatic and peripheral veins were measured. Seventy-two patients with idiopathic varicocele were divided into four groups: patients in group 1 were untreated, whereas patients in groups 2, 3, and 4 were given a single i.m. injection of 10,000 IU hCG 24 h, 96 h, and 168 h before surgery, respectively. In the spermatic and peripheral veins, levels of Prog, 17OHP, and E2 showed peaks at 24 h, whereas levels of A-dione and T showed peaks at 96 h. Significant increases in the ratios of spermatic veins 17OHP to A-dione and 17OHP to T, and a significant decrease in the ratio of T to E2, was found 24 h following hCG treatment. These results demonstrate that, following hCG injection, there is a transient inhibition of testicular C17-20-lyase activity, probably mediated by E2, even in subfertile males with varicocele.
Takeyama
M
M
Department of Urology and Pathology, Sakai Municipal Hospital, Japan.
Honjoh
M
M
Kodama
M
M
Sakaguchi
H
H
Koh
E
E
Kondoh
N
N
Fujioka
H
H
Nakamura
M
M
Namiki
M
M
Okuyama
A
A
D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D013735:Testicular Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D013737:Testis / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D014646:Varicocele / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D013735:Testicular Hormones