Serum Testostrone Levels in Leprsy Patients.
- Author:
Eui Soo PARK
;
Joon Young SONG
;
Sang Lip CHUNG
;
Tai Ho CHUNG
- Publication Type:Original Article
- MeSH:
Androgens;
Antibodies;
Atrophy;
Erectile Dysfunction;
Erythema Nodosum;
Gonadotropins;
Gynecomastia;
Humans;
Hyalin;
Infertility;
Leprosy;
Leydig Cells;
Male;
Mycobacterium leprae;
Seminiferous Tubules;
Testis
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
1981;19(6):865-874
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Testicular involvement in male patients with leprosy is well documented and may be associated with impotence, sterility and gynecomastia. Testicular histology shows atrophy of the seminiferous tubules with hypertropy and clumping of Leydig cells and hyalinization of the small and medium sized vessels. The hormonal functions of the testes have been studied by a number of workers, usually in patients with testicular atrophy and gynecomastia. In these particular patients, androgens are generally diminished while gonadotropins are increased. The pathogenesis of testicular damage is uncertain, though Wall and Wright(1974) found that testicular germinal cell antibodies were present in 75% of lepromatous, and postulated that :autoirnmunity, Erythema Nodosum Leprosum imrnune complex damage and direct invasion by Mycobacterium leprae may all be contributory.
