[Gonadal function in adolescents after total body irradiation in bone marrow transplantation]

Gonadal impairment has been observed in patients who underwent bone marrow transplantation with TBI-containing cytoreductive regimen. In order to study the effects of radiations on the pituitary and gonadal hormones 12-18 months after transplantation sexual development and plasma levels of gonadotropins, estradiol, and testosterone were evaluated in 9 patients (4 boys and 5 girls, age range 11-20 years). The preliminary results of this study show that TBI produces in both sexes a gonadal impairment, as shown by the high plasma levels of gonadotropins. Nevertheless, the gonadal damage seems to be more important in girls and we suppose a greater sensitivity to radiation injury of the ovary than of the testis.