Transient decreased serum testosterone after exposure to mustard gas

ABSTRACT

The effects of exposure to chemical weapons containing sulfur mustards on the serum levels of total and free testosterone, gonadotropins and prolactin was investigated in young Iranian men. In the first five weeks after injury both serum total and free testosterone were significantly decreased as compared to control values. Three of 13 men had total testosterone below 300 ng/dL; and two of six had subnormal serum free testosterone concentrations. By the fifth week after exposure serum free testosterone did not change; however there was further fall in mean serum total testosterone and 70% of men had subnormal values. Both serum total and free testosterone concentrations returned to normal values by the 12th week after injury. There was a significant rise in serum FSH and prolactin by the fifth week and in serum LH by the fourth week after exposure. These data suggest that injury by the chemical warfare containing sulfur mustard may cause acute inhibition of testosterone secretion from the testis leading to a significant decline in serum total and free testosterone and some increase in gonadotropin concentrations. The inhibition seems to be transient and hormone levels return to normal by 12th week after injury