Effect of Human Urinary FSH and LH on the Recovery of Spermatogenesis in Hypophysectomized Patients

Abstract

The effects were studied of the separate, successive, and simultaneous administration of purified preparations of human urinary FSH and LH on the qualitative progression of spermatogenesis in hypophysectomized patients. It was observed that: Neither the separate nor the successive administration of FSH and LH or vice versa stimulates adequately the germinal epithelium. FSH induces only morphologic repair of Sertoli cells. LH has the same effect on Sertoli cells but provokes, in addition, proliferation of spermatogonial cells and development of primary spermatocytes up to pachytene stage. At the same time begins enlargement of the diameter of the tubules, reduction of hyalinosis, and differentiation of Leydig cells from precursor fibroblasts. Both FSH and LH given simultaneously in a ratio equal to one induce the spermatogenic process up to spermatids, but differentiation of Leydig cells is poor. Of the other FSH/LH ratios used, only that favoring LH results in full development of spermatogenesis. Simultaneously, seminiferous tubule diameter increases, peritubular hyalinosis is reduced, and complete mature Sertoli and Leydig cells are developed. While the action of FSH is probably direct, that of LH is likely to be mediated by the Leydig cells.