THE EFFECT OF HCG ON TESTICULAR ANDROGEN PRODUCTION IN ADULT MEN WITH CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE

Abstract

In sixteen male patients undergoing regular haemodialysis of peritoneal dialysis for chronic renal failure, the testosterone levels were studied before and after treatment with HCG. Testosterone values before (186 ng/100 ml) and after (456 ng/100 ml) HCG were significantly lower than those for normal healthy males. The mean plasma dihydrotestosterone (5alpha-DHT) value of 11.5 ng/100 ml for the treated patients was significantly lower than that of 64 ng/100 ml for the control patients. With HCG, increments in DHT were recorded in three patients, and definite increments in testosterone were observed in six patients. The percentage binding and combining affinity showed little change due to HCG stimulation. Achieving ejaculation was a serious problem for the patients in whom the lowest increases in testosterone and 5 alpha-DHT levels were observed after HCG stimulation. Low plasma testosterone values were also associated with a low mean area for Type-2 muscle fibres.