Testicular histology following chronic gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment.
The histologic appearance of the testes of men exposed to chronic gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-A) therapy has not been previously documented. Herein, we report on the histologic features of the testes of four patients with disseminated prostatic carcinoma who received at least 1 year of daily treatment with (D-Leu6, des-Gly-NH2(10), proethylamide9)-GnRH (leuprolide, Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, IL) for their disease, and subsequently underwent bilateral orchiectomy. In marked contrast to the testes from five control patients, the testes of these agonist-treated patients demonstrated absence of spermatogenesis, Leydig cell hypoplasia, and Leydig cell inactivity. These data provide direct histologic evidence that the chronic administration of GnRH agonists may be suitable as a potential male contraceptive.
D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006728:Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D016729:Leuprolide; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male; D006728:Hormones; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D016729:Leuprolide