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Prepubertal human chorionic gonadotropin injection affects postpubertal germ cell maturation and androgen production
V V S S Chandrasekharam1, M Srinivas, S N Das
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Objectives:
To examine the effects of varying doses of prepubertal human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration on postpubertal germ cell status and androgen status in rats. The long-term effects of prepubertal hCG administration on postpubertal testicular function are still debated.
Methods:
Forty male prepubertal Wistar rats, aged 20 days, were divided into four equal groups. Group 1 served as the controls. Each rat in groups 2, 3, and 4 received subcutaneous hCG injections of 5 IU, 10 IU, and 50 IU, respectively, on days 20 and 30 of life. Serum testosterone levels were estimated on days 33 and 70. On day 70, the left testis of each rat was harvested for DNA flow cytometric analysis.
Results:
The testosterone levels on day 33 progressively increased from groups 1 through 4, and the difference between any two groups was statistically significant. In contrast, the testosterone levels on day 70 were greatest in group 1 and progressively decreased in groups 2 through 4, with the lowest value in group 4. On day 70, only group 4 rats had a significantly reduced haploid cell population compared with all other groups.
Conclusions:
Prepubertal hCG administration adversely affects testosterone levels, and a high dose of hCG has adverse effects on the germ cell haploid cell population. A critical reevaluation of the use of hCG is required in prepubertal boys, especially with respect to the dosage.