Abstract
Testicular responsiveness to 5,000 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin was evaluated in 14 patients with prostate cancer who were being treated with a slow-releasing luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist for a median of 21 months. Serum testosterone response to human chorionic gonadotropin was markedly reduced in most patients, with the median level increasing from 0.25 to 1.65 nmol per l. A second human chorionic gonadotropin test was repeated later in 5 patients who had been off treatment for a median of 6 months. Median serum testosterone levels increased to a maximum of 2.6 nmol per l compared to 28.2 nmol per l in an age-matched control group (p equals 0.008). Therefore, we conclude that long-term treatment with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists in elderly men leads to gonadal impairment that may not be as reversible as generally suggested.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1235-2138 |
Number of pages | 904 |
Journal | Journal of Urology |
Volume | 142 |
Issue number | 5 |
Publication status | Published - 1989 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Urology