ANDROGENIC STATUS IN PATIENTS WITH LEPROMATOUS LEPROSY

Objective To assess the incidence of testicular atrophy by evaluation of hormonal status, testicular histology and sperm production in chron ic lepromatous patients. Patients and methods Forty-one male patients with a mean age of 39.5 years (range 16-57) were studied at the Lepros y Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey, and were compared with 15 age-matched co ntrols with proven fertility. Results Reduced testicular size was obse rved in 51% and gynaecomastia in 27%. Of the 31 patients who were marr ied, 15 were primarily or secondarily infertile. Twelve of 16 patients had oligospermia or azoospermia. The mean basal luteinizing hormone ( LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and oestradiol levels were sig nificantly elevated and the level of testosterone significantly reduce d when compared with the control group. Conclusion Whenever leprosy is diagnosed patients should be informed of the need for treatment of an acute attack and the need for routine assessment of FSH, LH, testoste rone and oestradiol levels to detect hypogonadism and potential infert ility.