Based on the good results of another author 10 boys with marked pubertal gynecomastia were treated with the antioestrogen Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) at a dose of 20-40 mg/d orally for 2-12 months. In most cases the gynecomastia decreased totally, only two patients experienced palpable subareolar glandular tissue at the end of therapy. Side effects were not noted. During therapy levels of estradiol and testosteron increased, with a more pronounced elevation of estradiol. Basal values of LH and FSH remained nearly unchanged, but LH showed an increased response to LH-RH, which could be explained by the antioestrogenic effect of Tamoxifen at the hypothalamic level. The reduction of breast size in spite of increased estradiol levels on the other hand, suggests that the mean therapeutic effect of tamoxifen is through estrogen receptor blockade of breast tissue.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Seminal plasma-induced suppression of the respiratory burst of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and monocytes.

Based on recent findings indicating suppression of lymphocytic functions by seminal plasma (SP) we tested the effects of SP from men with normo- and oligozoospermia (n = 7, each) on the generation of luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (CL) of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and monocytes (M psi) stimulated in vitro with zymosan. We found a complete suppression of CL of PMN and M psi by undiluted SP's, 1,000-fold dilutions still induced greater than or equal to 20 percent inhibition. There was no difference between normo- and oligozoospermic men in inhibition of CL both with PMN and M psi. Protein concentrations of SP's were closely the same; all SP were free of the complement components C4 and C3c. After dialysis of SP the inhibition of PMN - and M psi - generated CL was no longer present. Our results demonstrate that SP exerts extremely potent inhibition of cells mediating nonspecific defense and/or antigen presentation. The inhibitor appears to be of low molecular weight. These findings may be important for infections acquired by the genital tract and may provide an explanation for the immunotolerance of spermatozoa in the female reproductive system.

Complement System Proteins↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Lack of reductase as cause of andrological disturbance?].

We studied steroid metabolites of 35 men with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. We found a significant decrease of androsterone (p less than 0,01) in urine. The quotient of aetiocholanolone: androsterone was significantly increased (p less than 0,01). This means that there might be a lack of 5 alpha-reductase function. Patients with E: A higher than 3,0 showed a significant side-difference of testis volume compared with the control group (p less than 0,01). We suppose that lack of 5 alpha-reductase induces dissociation of the development of the testis.

3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase↗