Comparison between the meiotic activities in the male with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and in the human fetal ovocytes.

In the testicles of males with postpuberal hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, we have detected a preleptotene phase similar to that described in the human ovary. The two characteristic stages of this phase, contraction and despiralization, were noted. In this paper the origin and the significance of preleptotene in relation to the hormonal levels are discussed.