Pituitary-Testis Relationships in Paraplegic Men

¹ División de Endocrinología y Reproducción, Subjefatura de lnvestigación Científica and Hospital de Convalecencia, C.M.N., I.M.S.S., Mexico City

Ten men aged 12 to 48 years with a complete neurophysiologic transection of the spinal cord (seven paraplegic, two quadriplegic, and one hemiplegic) were endocrinologically investigated to determine the relationships between the plasma concentrations of gonadotropins, prolactin, and androgens and to search for possible correlations with the time elapsed after the trauma (one-79 months). Peripheral blood samples were obtained from each subject every other day to measure follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), androstenedione (A), testosterone (T), and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and the results were compared with the values obtained from age-matched healthy individuals. On a group basis (without including two prepubertal patients), a significant linear correlation was observed between the time elapsed after the trauma and the plasma levels of T (r = 0.683, P = 0.05) and DHT (r = 0.832, P < 0.025), but not A. Both FSH and LH plasma concentrations were elevated in all instances, and 70% of the patients also had higher PRL values when compared with healthy male subjects. The present study emphasizes the need for a careful re-examination of the current clinical management of these patients within the first months after trauma.

     Key words: paraplegia, androgens, gonadotropins, prolactin

Submitted on October 22, 1980
Revised on May 8, 1981
Accepted on May 22, 1981