Pituitary-testicular axis in men with chronic renal failure [CRF] undergoing regular hemodialysis and after renal transplantation

ABSTRACT

Pituitary testicular hormonal axis was studied in fifteen [15] male patients with chronic renal failure treated with regular hemodialysis, their ages ranged from 27 - 55 years, and in other ten [10] male renal transplant recipients [CRF patients whose treated by successful renal transplantation], they were studied 9- 18 months after renal transplantation, their ages ranged from 27 - 37 years. Ten [10] healthy adult males were chosen as control group, their ages ranged from 27 - 48 years. Assessment of follicle stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinzing hormone [LH], prolactin, testosterone and dehydroepinandrosterone sulfate in serum was done, also testosterone suppression test to luteinizing hormone was also done in a random group of dialyzed patients [7 patients] and we found serum FSH. LH and prolactin were significantly increased [P < 0.001] in dialyzed group as compared to control group; while testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate were significantly decreased [P < 0.001], the testosterone suppression test in dialyzed group showed integrity of this axis. In renal transplant group serum FSH, prolactin, testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate were non significantly changed when compared to control group but LH was significantly decreased [P < 0.001] when compared to both control and dialyzed groups. From this study, we conclude that pituitary testicular hormonal axis still intact in those paients with CRF undergoing regular hemodialysis and that renal transplantation can correct the pituitary testicular hormonal pattern more or less near to normal