The Japanese Journal of Urology
Online ISSN : 1884-7110
Print ISSN : 0021-5287
ISSN-L : 0021-5287
TESTICULAR ENDOCRINE FUNCTION IN PROSTATIC CANCER PATIENTS RECEIVING MEDICAL CASTRATION BY LONG-TERM ADMINISTRATION OF LH-RH AGONISTS
Koichiro IsurugiYasushi KondoKiyoshi HirasawaTsuneo OyamatsuYukio Honma
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1989 Volume 80 Issue 10 Pages 1466-1473

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Abstract

Six patients with advanced prostatic cancer who had been treated by long-term administration of LH-RH agonistic preparations (Buserelin or Leupron) were tested for their pituitary-testicular endocrine functions. Serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone (T), prolactin (PRL), estradiol (E2) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) were measured consecutively. In all medically castrated patients, serum levels of LH, FSH, T, DHT anbd E2 were suppressed and particularly serum T levels were below the castration level of 1.0ng/ml. On the other hand, serum PRL levels were unchanged after the long-term treatment with the agonists. Serum LH and FSH levels failed to respond to LH-RH stimulation after the treatment, whereas serum T responded to stimulation by human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to various degrees. It was remarkable that, in 4 out of 6 medically castrated patiejnts treated up to more than 3 years, serum T response levels above 1.0ng/ml were noted. It is suggested that testicular endocrine function to secrete T and DHT in patients under treatment with long-term LH-RH agonist administration are still preserved in response to hCG stimulation.

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