Testosterone Treatment and Arginine-Induced Growth Hormone Stimulation in Male Delayed Puberty: Effects on Serum Calcium, Phosphate and Vitamin D Metabolites

Abstract

Hormonal changes after arginine-induced growth hormone stimulation and subsequent testosterone treatment were examined in 5 patients classified as having male delayed puberty. All the patients responded well to growth hormone stimulation and a significant negative correlation was found between the delay in height age and the maximal growth hormone response. r = 0.80, P < 0.05. The testosterone treatment did not alter this pattern. Changes in PTH, 25OHD. 24.25(OH)₂D, and 1.25(OH)₂D were examined at 24 h after the infusion. The results showed significant reductions in PTH (P< 0.05) and 24.25 (0H)₂D (P < 0.05) and a possible increase in 1.25(OH)₂ D, whereas 25OHD remained unchanged. These results may support the conception of growth hormone as a common denominator of growth and bone metabolism.

Key Words:

• male delayed puberty
• growth hormone
• vitamin D metabolism
• testosterone treatment