![Sample our Bioscience journals, sign in here to start your access, Latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5925/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Bioscience.jpg"})
Abstract
Primary hypogonadism occurring among uremic men on hemodialysis has been widely investigated, yet few data are available concerning the general pattern of steroidogenesis. In 161 hemodialysis patients and in 83 healthy subjects, serum levels of gonadotropins (LH and FSH), prolactin (PRL), testosterone (T), androstenedione (A), estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEA-S) were assessed through RIA methods. Mean ± SD hormone levels were: LH 45.6 ± 41.1 mIU/ml, FSH 16.3 ± 16 mIU/ml, PRL 42.4 ± 69.1 ng/ml, A 0.83 ± 0.27 ng/ml, El 64.3 ± 31.7 pg/ml, all higher than controls; T 289 ± 125 ng/100 ml, E2 11.8 ± 3 pg/ml, and DHEA-S 1.4 ± 1.4 μg/ml, all lower than controls. The A/T and E1/E2 ratios were also higher than controls and showed a good positive linear correlation (r - 0.40; p < 0.001) between each other. The uremic damage acts at the testis level, impairing the activity of the enzyme 17-beta-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase (17-OHSD), even if a derangement of the peripheral interconversion between steroids cannot be excluded.