Reproductive and endocrine gonadal functions in adults following multidrug chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic or...

The impact of aggressive chemotherapy on reproductive and endocrine gonadal function was studied in ten women and ten men with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or acute undifferentiated leukemia (AUL) in complete remission. Hormone determinations, sperm analyses, measurements of basal body temperature, and interviews with a standardized questionnaire were used for diagnostic evaluation. Elevated serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels and azoospermia were seen in all male patients after completion of induction and consolidation therapy as a result of germ cell and stem cell loss. Recovery of spermatogenesis, as indicated by normalization of serum FSH values and sperm density, occurred in the second year of maintenance therapy in all men. Serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) values remained within normal limits indicating resistance of Leydig cells to chemotherapy. All female patients showed normal serum levels of gonadal steroids and gonadotropins, as well as an adequate increase in basal body temperature after intensified chemotherapy, indicating intact follicle function and ovulation. Most patients reported normal sexual functions after induction and consolidation therapy. These results demonstrate that multidrug chemotherapy induced significant impairment of reproductive function in all male patients with early and complete recovery. In contrast, endocrine gonadal function was unaffected in men treated with ALL/AUL. In female patients, neither reproductive nor endocrine functions were influenced by aggressive chemotherapy.