Gonadal function of young patients with beta-thalassemia following bone marrow transplantation

Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) can induce short- and long-term impairment of gonadal function. Patients with beta-thalassemia represent a special group, as their primary diagnosis and its treatment modalities are responsible for gonadal dysfunction. To address the effect of BMT on puberty and gonadal function, we investigated 25 patients (12 males) with thalassemia who received allogenic BMT during childhood or adolescence and at the post-transplant evaluation were at an age that the pubertal process should have started. Pubertal stage by Tanner of breast and pubic hair, as well as testicular volume were assessed pre-BMT once and post-BMT at least twice. Menstrual history was recorded. FSH, LH, testosterone and estradiol levels were also determined. The impact of BMT appears to be different in the two sexes. Males seem to have higher tolerance, as all males who were pubertal at the time of BMT had normal testosterone, and all but one normal gonadotropin levels. From those who were prepubertal at BMT, 62% proceeded to normal pubertal development. Post-menarcheal females seem to be an extremely sensitive group to the deleterious effect of the transplantation process, as 100% of the post-menarcheal females exhibited amenorrhea and elevated gonadotropin levels. These findings are important for pre- and post-BMT counseling.