Hormonal and seminal evaluation of Leydig cell tumour patients before and after orchiectomy.
Seven patients (aged 25-38 years) were admitted because of mono- or bilateral gynaecomastia. Plasma levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin, testosterone, 17-beta-estradiol, delta4-androstenedione, dehydropiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) and 17-OH-progesterone were determined and semen analysis was carried out. FSH and LH levels were also measured after acute LH-RH administration (100 microg intravenously), and testosterone and 17-beta-estradiol were also evaluated after acute human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) administration (5000 IU intramuscularly). Testicular echography demonstrated the presence of a solid hypoechoic tumour. Therefore all patients were submitted to hemicastration by orchidofuniculotomy and a benign Leydig cell tumour was diagnosed in the removed testes. Hormonal and semen evaluations were repeated 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after surgery. The data before and after surgery were compared with a control group of 10 age-matched males. Before surgery, patients showed low FSH basal plasma levels; high levels of 17-beta-estradiol and low testosterone levels similar to those after hCG administration. A dyspermia was observed. Unilateral orchidectomy eliminated the autonomous secretion of oestrogen(s) so an increase of LH, FSH and testosterone levels, together with an improvement of spermatogenesis, were obtained.
Zarrilli
S
S
Department of Molecular and Clinical Endocrinology and Oncology, University Federico II, Naples, Italy.
Lombardi
G
G
Paesano
L
L
Di Somma
C
C
Colao
A
A
Mirone
V
V
De Rosa
M
M
D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007984:Leydig Cell Tumor / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009919:Orchiectomy; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D012661:Semen / Q000502:physiology; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D004958:Estradiol; D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone