title: Leydig cell insufficiency after testicular irradiation for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
abstract: Leydig cell function in 21 boys with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who had been treated by bilateral direct testicular irradiation (12 X 2 Gy) at 8.4 +/- 0.7 years, was evaluated 3.8 +/- 0.4 years after irradiation. At the time of irradiation all were prepubertal and at evaluation 12 were prepubertal and 9 pubertal. Leydig cell insufficiency, indicated by a low plasma testosterone response to chorionic gonadotrophin and/or an increase in basal level of plasma luteinizing hormone, was observed in 19/21 patients. The children who were the youngest at testicular irradiation were more vulnerable. Spontaneous virilization occurred in 3 of the older children and resulted from compensated Leydig cell dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Unité d'Endocrinologie Pédiatrique, INSERM U. 30, Hôpital des Enfants Malades, Paris, France.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brauner
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Caltabiano
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rappaport
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Leverger
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schaison
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D008297:Male; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D013737:Testis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone