Leydig cell insufficiency after testicular irradiation for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
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.
Brauner
R
R
Unité d'Endocrinologie Pédiatrique, INSERM U. 30, Hôpital des Enfants Malades, Paris, France.
Caltabiano
P
P
Rappaport
R
R
Leverger
G
G
Schaison
G
G
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
D013739:Testosterone