Hormonal pattern and testicular histology in patients with prostatic cancer after long-term treatment with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist analogue.
Seven patients suffering from prostatic cancer were treated with a depot form of D-Trp-6-luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH), a LH-RH agonist analogue (3 mg i.m. every 28 days) for a period of 24-32 months. The peptide induced a sharp and long-lasting inhibition of both gonadotropin and testosterone secretion. A sustained suppression of pituitary and testicular function was observed 40 days after the treatment was suspended. Testicular biopsies performed in all patients showed a marked impairment of Leydig cell mass and a complete spermatogenic arrest with a tubular derangement and fibrosis. Results indicate that the long-term continued gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist analogue therapy induces not only a functional inhibition of testicular androgenesis but also anatomical testicular damage whose reversibility does not seem to be probable.
Giberti
C
C
Department of Urology, University of Genoa, Italy.
Barreca
T
T
Martorana
G
G
Truini
M
M
Franceschini
R
R
Rolandi
E
E
Giuliani
L
L
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D017329:Triptorelin Pamoate
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D017329:Triptorelin Pamoate; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone