Testicular effect of mustard gas.
OBJECTIVE
To explain the testicular effect of mustard gas.


METHODS
Eighty-one patients who had been exposed to sulfur mustard and had the presenting symptom of infertility underwent evaluation of their reproductive system. Three semen analyses, serum hormonal determinations (luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and testosterone), and genital examinations were completed for all patients, as were testicular biopsies in 24 patients.


RESULTS
Azoospermia and severe oligospermia were diagnosed in 42.5% and 57.5% of patients, respectively. Hormone studies revealed an elevated plasma follicle-stimulating hormone level and normal plasma luteinizing hormone and testosterone concentrations. Testicular biopsy showed selective atrophy of the germinal epithelium, intact Sertoli cells, and normal-appearing Leydig cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Mustard gas can cause defective spermatogenesis years after exposure.
Safarinejad
M R
MR
Department of Urology, Military University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000139:chemically induced*; D007492:Iran; D007493:Iraq; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009151:Mustard Gas / Q000506:poisoning*; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000139:chemically induced; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000473:pathology; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D014857:Warfare
D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D009151:Mustard Gas