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Horm Metab Res 1979; 11(12): 679-682
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1092799
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© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Testicular Function in Patients with Spinal Cord Damage

J. E. Morley , L. A. Distiller , I.  Lissoos , R.  Lipschitz , G.  Kay , D. L. Searle , M.  Katz
  • Departments of Medicine and Neurosurgery, Baragwaneth Hospital, The Endocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand Medical School, Johannesburg, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cape Town Medical School, Cape Town, South Africa
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Publication History

Publication Date:
17 December 2008 (online)

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Abstract

Varying degrees of testicular dysfunction are found in men with traumatic spinal cord damage. Eighteen paraplegic men have been studied and the gonadotropin response to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LRH) measured. Basal serum testosterone estimations were made and in eight of the patients testicular testosterone reserve was assessed by the testosterone response to human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Testicular biopsies were performed in seven cases. In three of these patients, the testicular biopsies were abnormal. Five of the patients had elevated Follicle stimulating hormone levels and abnormalities of Luteinizing hormone kinetics were found in the same five patients. There was no significant difference between the plasma testosterone levels of the paraplegic patients when compared to the control group. In all the patients tested, there was an adequate testosterone reserve, and this included the three patients with the abnormal testicular biopsies. No relationship was found between the level of cord lesion and any of the hormonal parameters measured. This study confirms the primary nature of the seminiferous tubular damage which occurs in some patients with paraplegia.

Key words

Testicular Function - Paraplegia - Gonadotropins - LRH

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