study on the hypothalamic pituitmy gonadal axis in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis

ABSTRACT

The function of the hypothalamic pituitary gonadal axis was studied in males having hepatosplenic schistosomiasis, compensated group [1], decompensated group [2] or associated with some manifestations of endocrinal disturbances, such as gynecomastia [group 3]. A healthy group [4] was used as controls. Some pituitary and gonadal hormones were measured by radioimmunoassay at basal levels and after stimulation of the pituitary to release its reserve of FSH and LH by clomiphene citrate. The level of FSH was found to be significantly low in all patient groups before and after stimulation when compared with the confound to be significantly low in all patient groups before and after stimulation when compared with the controls. The basal level of LH was found to be low only in group 3, but after stimulation it was low in groups 2 and 3. Furthermore, there was a direct correlation between FSH and LH levels in group 3 [with gynecomastia] only. Serum levels of testosterone were found to be low in all groups before and after stimulation. A significant positive correlation was found between basal levels of FSH and testosterone in group 1 and a negative correlation in group 2. Serum prolactin was found to be high in all patient groups before stimulation and in group 3 only after stimulation. On the other hand, serum progesterone was found to be low in group 1 and high in group 3 before and after clomiphene stimulation. Moreover, no correlation was detected between estradiol and progesterone. These findings could be explained on the bases of the effect of estradiol, which is the most biologically strong estrogen. The sustained hyperestrogenism could lead to suppression of the pituitary gland, which is the master gland and plays the role of pacemaker of the endocrine system